Show Sheriffs Sheriff's r's rs Corner Lets Let's Talk t hu r f fT T gs r rBy By ARDEN W W. STEWART Uintah County Sheriff ABOUT TEEN DRINKING No discussion on teen behavior would be complete these days without at least leasta a consideration of teen drinking The consumption of beverage alcohol among teenagers Is a growing problem across the entire nation SOME PARENTS honestly do not feel Ceet there is anything wrong with a little beer or a little wine If in the confines confines con con- fines lines of their own home Many 1 say If we allow it at home occasionally our teen wont won't drink outside the home Some fathers feel leel that giving a drink to their teen son makes him feel leel like Jike an adult and puts them on a good level for promoting better son dad-son cooperation Now lets let's be honest and sincere You and I both know that a teen who sees these attitudes displayed by even one of his parents will only take It to mean a hearted half-hearted approval of drinking anytime any time anywhere I The next thing that is likely to happen is a midnight ride In Inthe Inthe inthe the family car with junior under the influence influence in in- fluence of beverage alcohol He lie may take a girl friend with him and between the fact that she is present and he is partially partially par par- drunk he is encouraged to overdo the speed limit It takes just such a situation to destroy two teen kids in the sunrise of their lives 1 I Do you think these things happen only to other peoples people's teens Let me give you a few facts ACCORDING TO National Safety Safely Council Council Coun Coun- cil statistics one states state's recent study showed that 53 percent of the drivers killed in fatal motor vehicle accidents had been drinking Even among the pedestrians pedestrians ped ped- aged 15 and over 49 percent had been drinking who were fatally injured in- in injured in by motor vehicles Another states state's study showed that 2 out of 3 drivers who died in traffic accidents ac ac- ac had been drinking Among the 20 18 year age group involved in fatal accidents the proportion of drinking drivers drivers dri dri- vers was even higher THERE ARE reams of sickening heart-sickening statistics related to teen drinking in as as- with driving motor vehicles If parents of ot teens could go with us In this department on just one accident call involving Involving involving in in- teen fatalities Im I'm sure every parent would agree that drinking and teens do not must not mix So If you and I were facing each other across my desk and you put the question to me about whether to allow some drinking at home or a lenient attitude toward it In the hope that this tilis would off head-off the desire to consume alcoholic beverages my answer would have to be bea a very emphatic NO AS WITH anything else there are arc always always al 01 al- al ways exceptions but for the most part teens seem to latch on to any approval no matter how slight on the part of a parent Seemingly a hard line no-give no disapproval of drinking on the part of the parent is the only sure answer r for teens For the parent who drinks himself and has beverage alcohol in the home the latter is always more difficult His ills own use of alcohol may nullify any sermons on the subject to his teen Do ad I Isay Isay Isay say not as I do is always a hard method method me me- thod of teaching anyone teen or adult One thing the arent who takes a drink ca cado cado cado do to set a good example for his teen is to make sure he himself does docs not drive his car after drinking Showing this much concern and respect for the privilege of driving may some day save your teens teen's life liCe because this example is bound to rub off on the youngster SO IN THIS department we simply ask you to consider our request to discourage age drinking in or out of the home To the teen whether in a motor vehicle or just walking down the street alcohol usually usually us us- means trouble sooner or later You can count on our wholehearted cooperation co operation in the handling of problems involving involving in in- teens I sincerely hope we can count on yours Next week Should the Teenager Have Havea a Job MISS CANDIDATE Venita the reigning Miss Ute Indian Tribe for 1971 is this week competing for the title of Miss at atthe atthe atthe the National Congress of American Indians Indians In In- in Reno Miss is the daughter of Francis Colorow and Reed of Fort Duchesne |