PEABODY — Efforts to combat underage drinking is one of the greatest challenges facing school officials, police and policy makers. Across the country, community leaders are continuously attempting to coordinate their efforts to curtail drinking by minors.
Since 2003, Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett has been facing that issue head on, holding numerous events that highlight the detrimental effects of underage drinking, not only for youths but for communities as well.
Yesterday morning, dozens of police chiefs, school officials and political leaders from the region converged on the Peabody Marriott to take part in a Parent Leadership Event at a policy-maker's breakfast.
Among the dozens of area law enforcement officials in attendance was Newburyport City Marshal Thomas Howard, who said the information he heard reinforced his belief that his department was on the right path toward stemming underage drinking.
Howard referred to his department's alcohol compliance checks at local pouring establishments, party patrols and monitoring package store sales.
"But we realize all the alcohol isn't coming from Newburyport," Howard said.
Howard said it has become apparent to him that much underage drinking takes place underground with parents supporting and providing places for it to happen.
Amesbury police Chief Mark Gagnon, also in attendance, said many parents don't realize the incredible risk they are taking when they host underage drinking events.
"Whether it be a hotel room or in their own home, there's a tremendous liability attached to it," Gagnon said.
Gagnon said it is common for parents to feel like police are picking on them or their kids in terms of enforcing the state's liquor laws. But Gagnon said the main goal isn't to punish offenders, but to educate them and help them understand the potential things that can go wrong.
"We take a pretty solid stance with minors in possession of alcohol, there's no gray area here. If they're underage, they're going to be in this station. They may not be arrested, but they will be summonsed," Gagnon said.
Guest speakers at yesterday's roughly 90-minute breakfast program included Dr. Aaron White, program director of underage and college drinking prevention research at the National Institute of Alcohol; Boston attorney Richard Campbell, an expert in social host liability; and Jack Claypoole, administrator of drug-free communities, office of National Drug Control Policy.
White spoke of the damaging effects alcohol can have on the adolescent brain and Campbell discussed the legal consequences of parents hosting underage drinking parties. Claypoole spent his allotted time offering a national perspective on underage drinking and how legislators, educators, law enforcement officials and communities can tackle the problem locally.
"In the time that I have been district attorney, the scientific research on the harmful effects of alcohol on adolescent brain activity has advanced dramatically. This new information, along with what we already know about the higher incidents of death and sexual and physical assaults among young people who drink versus those who do not, makes a compelling case that underage drinking is a big deal and must be taken seriously," Blodgett said.
Many minors arrested or summonsed for underage drinking have the chance to go through the Essex County district attorney's diversionary program, meaning they can avoid a criminal record if they complete the requirements, Gagnon said.
Through Blodgett's juvenile and Youthful Diversion programs, first-time, nonviolent offenders may be offered intervention and remedial measures as an effective way to address their problems. The youths are held responsible for their actions and must complete a monitored program, according to Blodgett. .
Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer III said the breakfast drove home the point that battling underage drinking isn't solely a law enforcement issue, but rather requires a coordinated effort also involving policy makers and educators.
Kezer also said he realizes fighting the problem on a civic level means looking at the underlying issues in Amesbury that make underage drinking a serious problem.
"I'm a big supporter of DA Blodgett's efforts with these breakfasts and helping to educate us who are not directly involved, to get us all educated on this and working cooperatively. I'm all for it," Kezer said.
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