Complacency About Teen Drinking?

Scores of comments were posted on Barrington Patch within hours of a story that said 15 more young people were arrested – in addition to the original arrest of a 16-year-old girl -- for a raucous underage drinking party at a vacant house on Elm Lane on Jan. 20.

Not all of the comments supported the police department’s action; one comment chastised the release of and posting of the names of three young adults for their actions in providing alcohol and causing damage during the party.

Here are several examples:

“The whole situation is unfair. 100 people attended that party and a huge percentage were drinking. Yet out of all those kids only 15 were charged? Either every single person should have been charged or only the girl who held the party should have been charged. But because Barrington needs to make an example out of everything, 15 kids are being charged. How hard would it have been to give them a warning?”

“This whole situation is ridiculous considering the police have now successfully drawn it out of six weeks. Six weeks. And two weeks ago? The police went to a house party and not one single person got charged when there was clearly drinking going on and no one received any consequences. If the police were really cracking down as much as possible, they would have showed up the night of the party, caught kids and that would be the end instead of showing up at the wrong house that night and sending out obnoxious ‘You Should Know’ letters a month later.”

“And while this is going on... The world is on the brink of total chaos. Let's get some priorities set here people...”

Underage drinking has been a priority for the BAY Team substance abuse prevention coalition in Barrington for several years. So, even though the party was frustrating to Kathy Sullivan, director of the BAY Team, she described it as an “anomaly” that does not truly reflect the smart decisions most teens in Barrington are making.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross also said the party was a bit out of the norm, although he was somewhat astounded by some of the comments posted on Patch about it.  Perhaps parents have become complacent, LaCross said in a story on eastbayri.com. See the entire story if you want to read more about his reaction to the party.

Has Barrington become more complacent about teen drinking? Is the message being lost on many teens? How tough should the police department be on underage drinkers? Use the comment box below to express your feelings.