Many readers of a certain age can remember when the issue of alcohol and minors was a bit more blurry than it is today.
At one time it was legal for 18-year-olds to drink in Texas. And it wasn't so long ago that parents sometimes furnished alcohol-usually beer-to their teenage children and their friends at parties. The idea was that if they were going to drink anyway, it was better for them to do so at home, under supervision, than be out drinking and driving, risking arrest or worse.
That attitude prevailed for a long time. But these days it doesn't carry a lot of weight.
Still, some folks haven't gotten the message.
Earlier this month, sheriff's deputies in Lonoke County, Ark., heard about an after-prom party where local high school students were allegedly consuming alcohol.
The deputies drove up to the property about 4 a.m. and found a lot of kids, ages of 15 to 18, and a lot of drinking going on. They were all over-outside, in cars, in a shed. Many were obviously intoxicated. A few were passed out. Some even tried to hotfoot it out through the woods.
There was a keg, and empty booze containers were found.
And there was an adult on hand as well.
A 48-year-old woman allegedly told officers her family owned the property and that she didn't see anything wrong with kids having fun. After all, she was there watching out for them.
Officers said the woman had apparently been drinking as well.
Well, you can guess what happened next.
Parents of the 33 teenagers found at the scene were called. And the "chaperone" was taken into custody, charged with 33 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and 33 counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and violation of the Arkansas Social Host Law.
She also was suspended from her job-it turned out she was a fourth-grade teacher in Pulaski County.
The days when the authorities would wink at underage drinking-and at those who supply the booze-are long over. It's a lesson everyone should learn.
Because school is wrapping up and summer is almost here, students in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas will be celebrating the end of the school year. They may want to try having liquid fun better suited to adults. And there may be some adults who don't see the harm.
That's just asking for trouble. We aren't naive. Kids are going to do foolish things. But they don't need adults helping them along.
