THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Underage Crack-Down
New Campaign Focuses On Teen Drinking, Drug Use
By TODD WESSELL
Journal & Topics Editor
The way Police Chief Jim Prandini describes it, five years ago Des Plaines' reputation as a place where youths can get away with drinking liquor was less than stellar.
"Back then, the word was 'come to Des Plaines to drink and they'll let you off,' " said Prandini.
Not anymore.
For the last three years, the police department has maintained a "zero tolerance" policy when it comes to underage drinking. When someone under the age of 21 is suspected of consuming alcohol, police will not walk away but bring out a portable breathalyzer that on the spot measures the level of alcohol consumed. If the device displays a positive result, the suspect is taken into the station and faces possible charges.
Last week, approximately 25 local residents attended a Town Meeting in City Hall to learn more about the increasing problem of teen drinking and drug use. The Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF) sponsored the gathering. Speakers included Prandini, Mark Warpness, special agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Marsha Vickman, manager of Substance Abuse Services of Maine Center, and Suzanne McClean of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association.
Prandini and MCYAF Executive Director Margaret Polovchak announced the launching of "Parents Who Host Lose The Most", a program to curb teen drinking and to offer advise to parents on how to handle related situations. The program includes the distribution of literature and posters around Des Plaines advising parents, teens
and stating what consequences face violators. Prandini said that as weather warms and end-of-the-school-year activities such as prom are held, police are prepared to crack down where and when necessary.
According to Chief Prandini, in 2004 in Des Plaines, police made 25 underage drinking arrests; 74 in 2005; 332 in 2006; and 244 in 2007. So far in 2008, 41 arrests have been made. Another five arrests were made after last Tuesday's night's Town Hall meeting.
Prandini lauded the local media such as the Journal & Topics Newspapers for their support and willingness to publish the names of individuals charged with illegal consumption,. By doing so, he said, parents "jump on their kids" for embarrassing themselves and their families.
"When we respond to a party, everyone is detained and portable breathalyzer tests are given. Reports are forwarded to high schools which may take action against students involved in extracurricular activities," said Prandini.
Warpness, a veteran DEA agent, said he has worked on drug cases for many years all over the country.
"I wish I could tell you tonight that we are stopping drugs, but we are not," he said. "We're dealing with various national crime groups. It all starts in the home. Talk to your kids."
"Underage drinking is dangerous," said Vickman. "Kids drink to get drunk. The earlier one starts to drink, the chances are better of becoming an alcoholic. Kids intellectually know that they should not be doing drugs, but they look around and say adults don't want them to have fun. They can't see the long term. The bottom line is that parents should have a set of rules and consequences and then follow through."
Suzanne McClean said a variety of alcohol energy drinks are now available at stores throughout the area, which many teens obtain and drink.
"They're easily accessible and marketed to youth," said McClean. "They're cheap and are a dangerous combination. Some have alcohol in them. Kids in school cafeterias can be seen with them. In some cases, six, seven and eight year olds are getting all hyped up by having five of these a day."