Cup O’ Joe: No call for underage drinking

Prom and graduation season are upon us. And while this is a time of celebration for many families, it is also a time where young “adults” can make some poor choices that could affect the rest of their lives.
Underage drinking tends to spike considerably at this time of year as high school students search for “after parties” from their time spent at proms or their graduation.
    Just last week, the Houlton Police Department learned of an underage drinking party in the area. They arrived at the home long after the party ended, but many were still at the location sleeping off the effects of a night spent consuming alcohol.
Somewhere between 40-50 youths attended the party, according to police. By the time police learned of it early the next morning, however, 10 individuals ranging in age from 17-20 were still at the residence and were promptly summonsed for possession of alcohol by a minor.
If parents in other school districts think that similar things are not going on in their communities, they are sorely mistaken. Far too many youths turn to alcohol as a form of stimulation or entertainment, despite the fact that they know it is illegal.
Some say they drink because there is nothing else to do. I find that argument hard to comprehend. And of course, not every individual who attends a prom or graduation “after party” is going to consume alcohol. There are plenty of level-headed young men and women out there.
The sad thing is, many youths, and some of the parents too, simply think that underage drinking is not a big deal. Some feel that as long as nobody gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking, than it’s OK for youths to consume alcohol, but that is simply not the case. It is akin to saying it is OK to steal as long as you don’t get caught. How is a youth supposed to tell the difference between what is right and wrong when a parent tells them it’s OK to drink?
The Houlton Police Department is to be lauded for their efforts in this particular case. It’s too bad one of the neighbors didn’t notify the authorities as it was happening so that all of those participating in the drinking party could have received the same punishment.
So what can a parent do to keep their children — and yes they are still children — safe? The best way is to talk to their kids about the dangers of drinking. If it sounds overly simple, it is. Those parents that have an open and honest relationship with their children have a much better chance of not seeing their child do something incredibly stupid.
Granted, no individuals were killed or injured in an automobile accident on the way home from this party. This time. Who’s to say they will be so lucky if there is a next time. Sadly, this case will not be the last time we hear of kids doing something they should not be doing. But maybe, just maybe, a student might think twice before jeopardizing their future if they know people are on the lookout for this type of behavior.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.