Parents... When it comes to
underage drinking ...Draw the line

When I was a teenager, in the early 70’s, it wasn’t unusual for a handful of my friends to gather at one of our homes to play cards, shoot pool, and…have a few beers. Although we were under age 21 that didn’t matter, as long as each parent gave permission and we stayed overnight and didn’t go out driving in our cars.

Today these parties have gotten bigger and more unruly. With cell phones and text messaging, a small party with close friends quickly turns into a large gathering of people who may not even know each other. Too common now are girls being sexually assaulted, boys fighting…not with fists, but with weapons…and car accidents resulting in serious injury or death.

Thanks in part to the efforts of the Pima County - City of Tucson Commission on Addiction Prevention and Treatment, the Task Force to Reduce Underage Drinking, the Community Prevention Coalition, the Luz Southside Coalition, other coalitions, along with TPD, Tucson is making progress towards reducing underage drinking and the use of illicit drugs.

Recently, Tucson passed a “social host ordinance” that holds the home owner responsible for hosting a party where alcohol is served to minors. It comes with some big fines and legal ramifications. The police can “red tag” a property that has hosted such a party. That home is not allowed to have a gathering of more than 3 people at a time for 6 months. Minors convicted of driving under the influence lose their licenses until they reach age 21.

Click here for full size image

Out of the Governor’s office, the Draw the Line campaign is aimed at parents to take responsibility in helping prevent underage drinking. There is excellent information and links at www.DrawYourLine.com. Also, a local youth prevention web site has been developed BY youth FOR youth at www.BeFreePima.org.

Alcohol use is the number one substance abuse problem facing our youth. Underage drinking impairs the brain and disrupts hormones. Youth are now reporting that their first drink came at age 14 and 24% of 8th graders, 39% of 10th graders, and 47% of 12th graders reported drinking within the past 30 days (Arizona Youth Survey, 2006). These numbers are especially disconcerting when statistically, the earlier a person begins to drink the higher the probability that they will become an alcoholic. A national annual average is 4.2 million persons age 16-20 reported driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs last year. More than 37% of adults provide alcohol to youth, while 47% of parents believe it’s OK to allow underage drinking as long as it’s under adult supervision.

Parents need to know and be on board with… it is NOT acceptable to allow your children to drink when they are underage. Drinking is not a rite of passage…every parent MUST… Draw the Line.

---

Roy E. Tullgren III serves as Director for Gospel Rescue Mission. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference by calling (520) 740-1501.

© 2008 Good News Tucson™

l Table of Contents l Comment on this article l