Teen-Age Drinking--a Tragedy

Recent newspaper headlines reported the deaths of four Orange County youths. While the incidents were not similar, they shared a common element that too often results in tragedy--the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors. In some cases, the drink is obtained from an adult who fails to see the potential danger in mixing alcohol with the exuberance of youth. In other cases, the alcohol is bought illegally.

There are 4,500 alcoholic beverage outlets throughout the county. Many teen-agers say they can buy all the beer and wine they want.

Although the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has authority to fine, suspend or revoke the license of business owners who intentionally sell alcohol to minors, in many cases the store owners are unaware of the illegal sales, according to the county ABC office.

Often owners are not on the premises during the evening hours when many of these sales take place. Adding to the problem, California retailers are permitted to hire 18-year-old clerks, many of whom are students themselves and under great pressure to sell to their friends. Further complicating the enforcement job are teen-agers who use false identification or are able to get an adult to buy alcohol for them.

Existing laws that permit minors to sell alcoholic beverages at retail stores make little common sense and should be changed. But that alone will not begin to solve the problem. The public can help by reporting to the ABC office anyone who intentionally sells or serves teen-agers alcohol. Despite the proliferation of illegal drug use, teen-age drinking and alcoholism remain one of nation’s most serious social problems.