March 27, 2012
In the state of Nebraska, it is estimated that minors consume 26 percent of all alcohol sold, according to Project Extra Mile, a government-sponsored program designed to decrease underage drinking.
Teens' reasons for drinking vary, but one reason just might be the fact that it's illegal.
"Alcohol kind of has the 'forbidden fruit' attraction for minors," Sarpy County Deputy Attorney Gary Brollier said. "But the 'everybody is doing it' excuse is a lie, because the majority of teens are not."
Boredom is another factor often cited.
"I always thought the response of 'there's nothing else to do in Nebraska' was just silly," Brollier said. "There's plenty of other things for teens to do instead of consuming alcohol."
Peer pressure plays a role, Brollier acknowledged. "But individuals are responsible for their own choices and actions," the deputy county attorney said, "and the [resulting] consequences."
Nebraska law allows alcohol consumption at a person's permanent place of residency, so teens cannot be charged with MIPs in their own homes. A teen who invites friends over to drink, however, can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a charge with consequences similar to those associated with an MIP.
Officer Tony Foster of the Papillion Police Department, a D.A.R.E instructor, says it's important for parents to establish boundaries.
"Parents need to set the standard and set the rules very clear," he said. "They need to say: 'This is the rule. You don't drink alcohol. You don't go to parties with alcohol. If you go to a party and there's alcohol, you call me and I'll come pick you up.'"
When those boundaries don't exist, parents themselves could get into trouble.
To view the full story, click this link: http://my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view/frontpage/articleid/513637/newspaperid/4439/What_makes_teens_drink.aspx
Source: My High School Journalism
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