What strikes me as irresponsible is this: obviously, the most dangerous possible outcome of a child’s drinking is maiming or killing him/herself or others in a drunk driving accident. Advising parents to avoid discussing strategies for avoiding such accidents is horrible advice because a certain percentage of kids are going to drink regardless of whether it’s forbidden.

So, telling your son or daughter to call you if he/she is drunk and needs a ride could save the child’s life or the life of others. Isn’t planting that seed the responsible approach? Shouldn’t trying to prevent such sad accidents be the top priority in dealing with teenage drinking behavior? Sure, discussing this would send a “double message” that conflicts with a rules-and-discipline ideology; however, communicating the second part of that message might prevent maiming and death.

George Szabo

165 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook                           January 30, 2004