With the prom and graduation season fast approaching, it is important to remind ourselves that it is against the law to provide alcohol to minors. Period. When our youth are asked how difficult it is to get alcohol, they say it’s incredibly easy in spite of the fact that they are under the legal age of 21. In fact, the younger the youth, the more likely they are to say they got it from home. Statistics show that adults are the major suppliers of alcohol to underage youth. The problem of youth alcohol use is often blamed on a teen’s inability to “just say no.” The reality is that young people constantly get mixed messages from adults and communities about alcohol. Most adults condemn youth alcohol use through their words, but their actions often encourage or allow youth to use alcohol. It seems that adults are the ones who need to learn how to “just say no.” If adults said “no” when an underage youth asked for alcohol, more than 50 percent of the youth’s supply would be cut. Then we would see a tremendous reduction in alcohol-related problems. Recently, the Civil Cause of Action law was passed to discourage adults from providing alcohol to youth, or knowingly or recklessly permit consumption. It allows adults to be sued for providing alcohol to someone under the age of 21 who causes physical harm to themselves or others and/or damages property. This new law is an excellent tool for adults to use. They can now easily “just say no” to young people by saying “I can’t buy you beer. I can’t risk being sued.” Alcohol is the favorite drug for youth and it is extremely dangerous. Teens who drink are more likely to have a car crash, experience date violence, attempt suicide, get into a fight, have unsafe sex, or experience problems in school. More youth use alcohol than all illegal drugs combined. Adults need to set clear expectations about alcohol. Youth cite adults’ attitude as the number one factor in whether or not to drink. All adults need to stop providing alcohol to youth. It is illegal and harmful.
