When Kids Drink, Should Parents Pay?

This is a double question. Should parents be allowed to buy alcohol for their underage children? And should they be required to pay a fine when they supply their kids with alcohol?

This isn't just a philosophical question -- police in some jurisdictions are raising awareness among adults, and particularly parents, of the medical, social and legal consequences of supplying teens with alcohol -- which can include a $500 fine.

Given the time of year, it is likely to affect anyone who is celebrating graduation with the help of alcohol. And while some parents feel that they are the best people to be introducing their children to alcohol, feeling perhaps that their kids will be better prepared for adult life, or having the misguided belief that drinking is healthy, parents are known to be the single greatest influence on children's future addictions. Also, binge drinking is known to be related to injuries, accidents, and long and short term health problems, some of which are fatal.

What do you think? Should parents be left alone to supply their kids with alcohol? Or should the law step in to protect vulnerable young people from the risks of alcohol?

Image reproduced with permission of West Vancouver Police Department