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Underage drinking not a rite of passage
Submitted by rcraw on May 6, 2009 - 4:05pm.
By Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler, Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson, and Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight
Springtime is full of celebrations for our students - including prom and graduation. These events are milestones for students and families and should be celebrated. How students celebrate prom and graduation however, could have major consequences.Underage drinking is a serious problem. In Minnesota, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess and drink alcoholic beverages. Under the “Not a Drop” law, if someone under 21 drinks and drives they will lose their license from 30 to 180 days. These laws have reduced the incidence and harms of underage drinking.Teens, however, continually report that adults are their primary source of alcohol at home, in bars and restaurants and outdoor parties. Serving alcohol to minors is illegal. Adults providing alcohol to teens can be ordered to serve a jail or prison sentence, pay fines and substantial monetary civil damages. Chaska’s “Social Host” ordinance holds individuals criminally responsible for hosting or allowing underage drinking parties.While some parents are relieved that their teen is “only” drinking, they may not know that alcohol is a drug. Teens use alcohol more frequently, heavily and with more deadly results than all other illicit drugs combined. These statistics do not take into consideration the countless life-altering consequences of underage drinking that do not result in death, including vehicle crashes, violence and sexual assault.Even though they are 18, graduating and attending prom, parents can still help their teen make choices that ensure their own and others’ safety. Parents’ can establish boundaries and expectations for them and hold them accountable for their actions. Remember underage drinking is not a rite of passage -- it is illegal. Our message is aimed at preventing underage drinking and potentially deadly behavior, including drinking and driving. We care about the teens in our community. Please join us in our effort to keep them safe and sober while celebrating their accomplishments.
