Editorial: On laws and parents

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

A new state survey shows where the focus should be when it comes to teenage drinking -- on adults. The survey, by the state Department of Education, found that of high school students who drink, one-third get their liquor from home.

Oftentimes the drinking occurs with parental permission, such as at home parties. We know what can happen after such parties, as the Las Vegas Valley has had more than its share of tragic car accidents involving drunken teenagers.

The State Division of Child Safety and Family Services, which incorporated the survey's findings into a larger study on underage drinking, is suggesting tighter state laws. In some states parents who provide alcohol to minors in their homes can be criminally charged. An alternative would be a law allowing law enforcement agencies to collect from errant parents all the costs associated with responding to house parties and their aftermaths.

We support legislative consideration of both of these ideas. As a higher priority, however, we support parental consideration of using more sense.

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