DRAPER — Yes. That three-letter word and the inability to say "no" slowly led to Brad Anderson's demise.
For Anderson, whose life was cut short at age 22, things could have been a lot different had the handsome and athletic young man not said "yes" to his first drink at a high school party.
That one drink eventually led Anderson to say "yes" to prescription drugs at Utah State. Then he said "yes" to cocaine, which led to a pair of overdoses, the second of which claimed his life in 2005.
Anderson's story was retold Monday during the Kids Against Underage Drinking event at the Ark Outpatient Treatment Center, 272 E. 12200 South.
"Because he didn't say no to alcohol in high school, because he didn't say no to prescription drugs, he said yes to cocaine," said Heather Anderson, Brad's older sister and Miss Utah USA 2007.
Brad Anderson's story served as reminder to those in attendance at the free event that the best way to stop an addiction is to never start.
"I hope there is one thing that we all have in common: I hope we have all decided to say no to drugs and alcohol," Heather Anderson said. "Say no every single time. It's a big deal every single time."
During the three-hour event, parents were repeatedly reminded by Anderson and other guest speakers of their responsibility to communicate with their children about the dangers of underage drinking and drug abuse.
"It is so important to talk to your kids, to get that dialogue going," said Draper Police Sgt. Pat Evans, a DARE officer. "Pay attention and be aware."
That lack of attention or awareness leads to about 5,000 alcohol-related deaths per year in people under age 21, Evans said.
The Kids Against Drugs and Alcohol club is trying to promote awareness about the issue. Working with two choreographers from the "High School Musical" films, the group has used its talent to address underage drinking and alcohol use at various schools in the state.
Monday's event started and ended with hip-hop dance performances by the club, with its members wearing sailor suits and army fatigues.
The hope is that an emphasis on prevention will lead to fewer stories like that of Brad Anderson.
"It all started with underage drinking," Heather Anderson said. "He would have never said yes to those other things if he hadn't started drinking."
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