By AMANDA FLEMINGER
Entering the house party with an alcoholic beverage in her hand, a senior girl* didn’t know the consequences of her actions that would occur after this past Halloween weekend. The girl was excited to hang out with her friends and drink while relaxing and not worrying about school.
“[Going to parties] is fun and drinking allows me to relax and not make me think of anything in the past. I only focus on the present and feeling good,” she said.
However, the senior girl realized that there are more negatives to partying than positives.
“[That night], I was robbed of my money and iPhone; it was the worst night I’ve experienced,” she said. “[This experience] makes me regret what I do. Before, I didn’t realize how serious [drinking] can be and the extent it can go to; I was just trying to have fun.”
While under the influence, people become less aware of what goes on around him.
“Drinking makes me relaxed and makes me not think of anything,” senior girl said. “[However] I wish I would’ve been [sober when my phone was stolen] so I would’ve known what was going on.”
While more serious consequences occur when one is 18-years-old, there are still consequences as a minor. The illegality of underage drinking means an officer has the right to arrest a minor if found under the influence.
According to the Palm Beach Post, after a high school homecoming in Boca Raton this past October, teens gathered in an estate while the parents were asleep on the other side of the house. Neighbors called the police after hearing loud noises and the police found teens passed out in the lawn and vomiting on the streets. While 500 high schoolers partied amongst this house, the parents claim they had no idea kids were in the house. Broward County Police arrested the parents and charged them under the state statue 562-111 with allowing minors to drink at an open party.
The senior girl says her next door neighbor always provides her with alcoholic drinks and allows her daughter, the senior girl’s best friend, to host parties there.
“I feel protected [drinking with her parent at home] because I trust her and she will keep me safe,” senior said.
According to the Century Council, one in five adults believe it is acceptable for parents to provide alcohol to their teenagers in their own home. Whether or not one believes this is acceptable, he should always be aware of the risks involved with underage drinking.
A junior girl’s* parents allow her to throw parties in their house as long as she stays careful and does not drink and drive. Yet, if a minor is caught drinking, it is a second-degree misdemeanor, according to Florida laws and if one receives a second offense, it is then considered a first-degree misdemeanor. In either circumstance, students can have their drivers’ licenses suspended.
“They say I’m only going to be a teenager once and I should have fun, but I should be cautious [at the same time],” junior girl said.
However, providing any minor with alcohol is illegal. According to Florida’s “open house party” law, it is a criminal offense for an adult having control of a residence to permit any illegal substances being consumed by minors.
“[My parents] understand the consequences, but as long as [my friends and I drink] in moderation and stay under control, there wouldn’t be a reason for authorities to
enforce the consequences; they wouldn’t know,” junior girl said.
Adults who provide alcohol for minors risk the chance of being held responsible for injuries or mishaps that occur, not to mention the charges the teens would face themselves.
In addition to the legal risks one can face by drinking, there are also health risks.
“If you can’t stop [and] are using [alcohol] as a crutch, then you should get help. Some drink to take the edge off [and] that’s when alcoholism can become a major issue,” School Resource Officer Scott Daniels said.
According to tonehealth.com, 87 percent of teenagers who start drinking before the age of 21 are prone to becoming an alcoholic.
Those involved in sports can see other consequences of being found under the influence. Each team member must sign the Drug and Alcohol Policy, which states the three levels of consequences if seen in person or electronically using illegal substances. The first offense states that one is off the team for the remainder of the season and one must be involved with counseling along with a parent; the second offense states an athlete is out for the rest of the school year and must be involved in counseling just as the first offense; and the third offense states that one forfeits the privilege of participating in any further sports in his high school career.
“You would hope [the contract] would help when a student puts himself in such a situation that they would think of the consequences for their decision and sway them to make the right decision,” Athletic Director Douglas Patterson said.
*names withheld