SHERWOOD, Ore.– According to Student Resource Officers in Sherwood High School Students across the country abuse alcohol at a rate of about 29% within the past month. That figure comes from CDC. 14% admit to binge drinking, 5% to driving after drinking, and 17% admit riding with a driver who had been consuming alcohol.
Sherwood police say they’ve seen an increase in parties recently where dozens of kids have been found drinking, often with parents aware and even present. These parties are problematic for a number of reasons. Officers have investigated multiple instances of sexual assaults at similar parties. Students have driven drunk, and committed vandalism at these parties. More than a few parties have had assaults and serious injuries including stabbings, baseball bat attacks and other physical assaults. Yes, these examples have happened here in Sherwood.
Additionally, under the law, parents are able to allow their OWN child to drink alcohol in their presence. By allowing another minor to consume alcohol at their residence, even with the other parent’s permission, a parent can be charged with ORS 471.410, Furnishing Liquor to a person under 21. This is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a $6,250 fine and up to a year in jail. Per minor.
And the minor can receive a Minor in Possession (MIP) charge. This is a violation, charged under the juvenile department and punishable by a mandatory court appearance, a fine of up to $2,000, and up to a year suspension of the minor’s driver’s license.
Many parents have told me they allow these parties because they feel it’s “safer” if they are “supervising” the party. But often, these are the same parents that are shocked when the police are there investigating because a physical or sexual assault occurred or a teen was caught driving impaired away from their house. It is clearly a false idea that somehow these parties are “safer” if they are condoned by parents. The only thing this does is show teens that this behavior is acceptable and so the cycle continues.
Just last school year, in Washington County, two teens died, three were hospitalized and a Deputy was critically injured when an intoxicated teen drove and blew through a red light. The driver is facing manslaughter charges.
A better alternative is to teach kids responsible drinking through talking with them, or, as the law allows, parents supervising their own child while they consume alcohol.
Together, we can break this cycle.
Partners in parenting,
SRO Officer
Sherwood Police posted this information to Facebook November 10, 2022
