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The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, an agency involved in promoting the well being of the state's youth, is pushing for tougher sanctions on underage drinking and wants the Nevada Legislature in 2005 to look at punishing adults who play a role in teens getting alcohol.
Referring to a 2003 Nevada Department of Education survey that indicated one in three high school students who drank alcohol got it from home, the agency recommends getting tougher with adults as a way to cut down on underage drinking and driving.
The agency says Nevada lawmakers should consider making it a misdemeanor for adults to furnish alcohol to teens or allow underage drinking at parties. Another idea is to bill parents for the cost when law enforcement responds to parties and teens are caught drinking alcohol.
Certainly any adult who provides alcohol for teens or sanctions parties where alcohol is abused by teens is woefully irresponsible. But are new laws the answer?
There already are laws on the books that make it a crime to buy alcohol for a minor or sell alcohol to a minor? There are minor in consumption laws that make it illegal for teens to possess or consume alcohol.
Holding parents criminally responsible if a teen steals and abuses alcohol found in the home is a stretch. Should the Legislature mandate that bottles of booze be locked up in the home?
We're not convinced additional laws are needed, especially if they seek to hold parents culpable for something they are powerless to stop. If a teen holds a home alone party and alcohol is abused without parental consent, is that a criminal act? We also think it's improper for the state to tell parents what they can or cannot do in the home. We hope adults act like adults and, for the safety and wellness of their children, would frown at offering alcohol.
The emphasis should be placed on educating adults and driving home the message that allowing teens to drink alcohol could bring tragic consequences should they cause injury or death in a vehicle.
This is a good time of year to remind everyone that drinking alcohol will definitely impair your every action. Don't drink and drive for everyone's sake. Plan ahead when attending holiday parties. A friend or designated driver is only a telephone call away.
Referring to a 2003 Nevada Department of Education survey that indicated one in three high school students who drank alcohol got it from home, the agency recommends getting tougher with adults as a way to cut down on underage drinking and driving.
The agency says Nevada lawmakers should consider making it a misdemeanor for adults to furnish alcohol to teens or allow underage drinking at parties. Another idea is to bill parents for the cost when law enforcement responds to parties and teens are caught drinking alcohol.
Certainly any adult who provides alcohol for teens or sanctions parties where alcohol is abused by teens is woefully irresponsible. But are new laws the answer?
There already are laws on the books that make it a crime to buy alcohol for a minor or sell alcohol to a minor? There are minor in consumption laws that make it illegal for teens to possess or consume alcohol.
Holding parents criminally responsible if a teen steals and abuses alcohol found in the home is a stretch. Should the Legislature mandate that bottles of booze be locked up in the home?
We're not convinced additional laws are needed, especially if they seek to hold parents culpable for something they are powerless to stop. If a teen holds a home alone party and alcohol is abused without parental consent, is that a criminal act? We also think it's improper for the state to tell parents what they can or cannot do in the home. We hope adults act like adults and, for the safety and wellness of their children, would frown at offering alcohol.
The emphasis should be placed on educating adults and driving home the message that allowing teens to drink alcohol could bring tragic consequences should they cause injury or death in a vehicle.
This is a good time of year to remind everyone that drinking alcohol will definitely impair your every action. Don't drink and drive for everyone's sake. Plan ahead when attending holiday parties. A friend or designated driver is only a telephone call away.
