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Blame; what is it? According to Merriam-Webster, blame is “to say or think that a person or thing is responsible for something bad that has happened.” Let’s be honest; when something bad happens, we all want someone or something to blame. And we don’t take too kindly to that someone being ourselves. When it comes to underage drinking, who really is responsible? Is it the drinker, their parents, or someone/something else entirely?
Parents and the Law
Legally speaking, parents can find themselves in a lot of hot water if their minor engages in underage drinking. Serious consequences can result, especially when a case of underage drinking culminates in property damage or personal injury. The short of the long is this: until your child is of legal age, their escapades with alcohol can land squarely in your lap. Everything from court costs to damages can be your responsibility to cover. The parent or guardian could also be charged with negligence, criminal or otherwise. That’s why parents don’t furnish minors with alcohol and parent their children to avoid underage drinking. But what if a social host outside of parental control is at play? Attorney Jeffrey W. Hensley will advise and advocate you.
Social Hosts and Underage Drinking
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act went into effect in 1984. It created the minimum drinking age of 21 on a federal level. States followed suit by prohibiting persons under the age of 21 from purchasing or publically possessing alcohol. According to Sean Mchugh lawyer Middletown, as recently as 2012, some 9.3 million underage people (ages 12 to 20) reported drinking alcohol.
What happens to a social host who furnishes a minor with alcohol in the state of North Carolina? It depends on the circumstances. Should a public establishment serve a minor, the establishment could lose its license to sell alcohol. And there’s a whole legal battle that ensues if an incident including a minor results in bodily harm or injury. Bottom line, it gets messy, and the finger of blame is harshly pointed at often multiple parties.
Tackling Underage Drinking as a Community
An African proverb states, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Underage drinking is a strong example of an issue we can address and handle as a community. Alcohol education starts at home. Parents have a pivotal role to play as a role model, teacher, and authority figure. But that role is often compromised due to the challenges of single parenting or alcohol abuse already being a factor within the home. When parents need help, the community can step in to ensure alcohol education and support is readily available through community resources.
Social establishments have an important role in the war on underage drinking too, as they are responsible for properly adhering to procedures as simple as checking an ID and knowing how to spot a fake ID. We all have the power to stop drunk driving. What can you do when you see someone about to drive away drunk? At the very least, take down their information and place a call to the local authorities. While no one wants to land someone in trouble with the law, it just might be the wake-up call that’s needed.