By Janet Reiter
Chisago County Attorney
It is far too easy for youth to obtain access to alcohol in our county. According to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey, Chisago County youth are using alcohol and other drugs at significantly higher rates than state averages. The Minnesota Student Survey reveals, one in every five (20 percent) 6th grade boys admitted using alcohol or other drugs within the preceding year. By senior year of high school, 69 percent of boys and 80 percent of girls had used alcohol or other drugs (excluding tobacco) in the past year. This should be alarming to all of us, as a community.
The Chisago County Underage Drinking Task Force is looking to turn those high statistics in the other direction. In conjunction with the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking, a group of citizens in Chisago County are seeking to carry out that ‘call to action’ here, locally. The Chisago County Underage Drinking Task Force recognizes it will take a communitywide effort.
Law enforcement and the Courts are taking the first step to address the issue of underage drinking.
In Chisago County youth who are cited for drinking underage must appear in Court. (It is not possible to simply mail in a fine). Required court appearances sends the message that this is a serious offense. Consequences may include a fine, community service work, an assessment and probation. The assessment allows probation staff to refer the person to educational classes or treatment if deemed appropriate. Repeat underage drinkers (18-20 year-olds) will face jail time.
The focus is also on those who are providing alcohol to young people. It is a gross misdemeanor to furnish, sell, or give alcohol to a person under 21. The consequences for someone convicted of this offense will face up to a year in jail and/or $3,000 fine.
With this new focus, the offender can expect to spend time in jail. If death or injury results from providing alcohol to a person under 21, then the provider may be facing a felony-level offense.
Finally, the civil liability associated with providing alcohol to persons under 21 may have devastating impact on a person’s future.
Research shows that parents are truly the most important influence on a child’s actions and attitudes toward alcohol. If a parent does not address a child’s drinking as a serious issue, then the child will likely continue to drink.
The underage use of alcohol frequently results in underage drinking and driving, a serious public safety concern.
Furthermore, recent stories about young people around the state succumbing to alcohol poisoning, reveals that the issue of binge drinking is a greater concern than ever. It may be that when young people feel they have a “safe” place to consume alcohol without driving, their intake is likely to be even greater.
It may be far too easy for adults to look the other way, feel that it is not their place to get involved, or rationalize that “kids will be kids.”
The Chisago County Underage Drinking Task Force urges everyone – now, during this time of graduation celebrations, and all year long - to be involved, take a stand and help change the statistics in Chisago County and ultimately the lives of young people in our community.
 |
