Suburbs target adults who let kids drink

“We're all joining forces and working together. That social host ordinance is closing the gap for the police to better enforce underage drinking parties.”

Adults who let kids drink at their homes could get in trouble in some cities more easily - even if they didn't buy the alcohol. via Twincities.com

[Tom]

The drunk driving incident cited here isn't even proof in this case that it was knowingly adult provided? Junior sneaks a few beers from the garage fridge and gets into trouble. Mom or dad is later arrested for providing (but I didn't know....whatever...tell it to the judge) and pays a huge fine to get out of jail. Hmmm...Maybe we should hold the line on the hype and consider exactly how many blank checks we are willing to hand over to our "selective" law enforcement officials?

[Going Broke]

Underage drinking frequently occurs at wedding receptions, especially those private backyard types. The proposed ordinances should include arresting all adults present at the reception plus confiscation of any future offspring of the newlyweds by social services. No sense in allowing any potential risk in our nanny state!

[LCD]

And prohibition takes another baby step forward. It's amusing to watch how little people really care about their consistent giving away of their privilege to enjoy a legal product.(cigarettes and alcohol the most blatant examples) All in the name of government moving in to save us from ourselves. When these cash cows run dry for our police state, what do you think they will go for next? And will the people stand up and say something to stop it then? Probably not.

[GEs]

Why is the fine ONLY $1000? It should be $5000. Payable immediately!

[JJs]

What is with all of this hypothetical stuff??? There is a problem with underage drinking and adults (responsible ones) knowing about it. Make those responsible for their actions. Using the backyard wedding as an example: the HOST (homeowner) would be the responsible one. I just hope none of you allow your kids and their friends to drink in your home. How about trying to teach these kids the consequences for their actions- funny how death could be one of them.

[Barb]

Tom wrote:

The drunk driving incident cited here isn't even proof in this case that it was knowingly adult provided? Junior sneaks a few beers from the garage fridge and gets into trouble. Mom or dad is later arrested for providing (but I didn't know....whatever...tell it to the judge) and pays a huge fine to get out of jail. Hmmm...Maybe we should hold the line on the hype and consider exactly how many blank checks we are willing to hand over to our "selective" law enforcement officials?

Most of these ordinances provide for a parent that chooses to allow their child to drink or for religious ceremonies. The issue here is a parent deciding to take that decision out of another parent's hands by allowing underage drinking in their home by children other than their own.

[jkd]

Says Barb: "The issue here is a parent deciding to take that decision out of another parent's hands by allowing underage drinking in their home by children other than their own."

But isn't the decision taken out of the parents' hands when the teenager makes the decision to drink?

The arbitrary age of 21 for legal drinking makes little sense in the first place: what's magic about 21? Many other countries have a lower legal age (take our neighbor to the north, for example) and many fewer drunk driving incidents: there's simply not the "forbidden fruit" excitement that leads some teens to transgress against an arbitrary age limit.

The issue for parents is to teach their children responsible behavior *for its own sake* not because "there's a law that says you can't drink until you're 21." If young people are ever to grow up, they need to learn how to make good decisions based on their own value systems and strong principles, not an arbitrary law set by the state.