The S’Klallam Tribe is taking a brave step forward in realizing that while underage drinking is a problem — not only on the reservation but throughout North Kitsap. It can be tapered down but it won’t be avoided completely, mind you.

That sort of idealism is fool talk and something that is unattainable in the society in which we live. The tribe is cognizant of this fact as well. Its members realize that some youth will seek alcohol and drugs and find them, too. There are a number of ways to do this, as many adults know all to well, and obviously if they didn’t work underage drinking might not be an issue.

But it is.

At first glance, the S’Klallam plan seemed odd. Working with non-drinkers first and promoting their positive image to the rest of those on the reservation? It appeared a bit like preaching to the choir. And in a sense it is, but what better place is there to grow such a “congregation” than from the inside out?

The positive message needs to start somewhere and, more importantly, it needs to spread. This won’t be easy to do as the lure of drugs and alcohol and the image they project is much like — albeit much more destructive than — fashion.

The dilemma is that unlike bell bottoms, parachute pants, neon, baggy shirts, keeping the tags on clothing, ultra short skirts, bling-bling, and wearing hats so askew that it looks like someone tried to knock them off their heads, many teens find booze and drugs to be cool no matter what’s trendy to wear.

It’s the forbidden factor. They’re not supposed to but they do and therefore they’re “cool.” Never mind that someone had to hold their hair as they drove the porcelain bus from 4-6 a.m., they’re hip and with it. And, therefore, those who don’t spend Saturday and Sunday sleeping off a hangover that would stop a Clydesdale in its tracks are lame?

Of course not but perception is a powerful illusion.

Those promoting the S’Klallam program know this, too. They also know that it will prove difficult to dispel but even so must hold fast to the idea that they can make a change for the better because they can. After all, there are much cooler things out there for teens to do than underage drinking and they have a lot more positive results, right?