Carl Junction Teen Drinking Increase
By: Shayla Patrick
Updated: November 12, 2012
CARL JUNCTION, MO.--- Carl Junction Police are taking a no nonsense approach to teen drinking.
"We've already had one minor DWI this year and we would like to stop any of those from happening before somebody gets hurt," states Delmar Hasse, Carl Junction Police Cheif.
Police Chief Delmar Hasse says increases in teen drinking aren't this time of year.
"We see indoor parties a lot more than you see outdoor stuff during this kind of weather, and then school is going so there's more social time together," states Hasse.
Teen behavioral bealth specialists say as fall activities wind down students have more free time during holiday breaks, meaning the potential for underaged drinking goes up.
"Boredom is another one, so when they are looking for some sort of excitement or something that fills that void and then the third one is when they have disposable income," states Dr. Kimerley Fielding, Will's Place Project Director.
Police say, in some incidents, teens aren't the only ones at fault.
"We have parents who decide, well they're going to drink anyways so we will have them at our house to drink and that way they can all stay here an no one will drive away. Well you don't have the right to make that decision for somebody else's child and you are breaking the law," states Hasse.
A decision that can come with a range of consequences.
"We have the option of site and release, we have the option to bring them in and make them post a bond. A lot of it depends upon attitude and the level of intoxication, and whether we can get a hold of the parents to come pick them up," states Hasse.
There are steps experts encourage parents to take to avoid getting this unwelcome phone call.
"What you want is to be a parent, to be always staying in contact with their children, and just to be noticing their behavior. So if you notice they suddenly withdraw of have a change in friends, that's another one," states Dr. Fielding.
Police say often they are tipped off to parties by neighbors complaining about noise or parking. They want to remind parents before going out of town to ask neighbors to keep an eye on their house, especially if a teen is being left alone for the weekend.
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