Underage Drinking

Dear Parents,

Greetings and God’s blessings with you!  Last year Bishop Carroll adopted a new mission statement in which it pledges to ‘assist parents in forming Disciples of Christ.’  In response to this pledge, I have been trying to find a way to regularly communicate with you in an attempt to be pro-active and address some of the challenges and issues that affect the youth of BCCHS.  In this way I hope to develop a partnership between you and the school.  Being informed of current important issues will allow us to organize our efforts in forming our youth to be Disciples of Christ.  Today, I would like to take a moment to address the topic of the use of alcohol. 

Different people consider the issue of the use of alcohol by minors to be of differing importance.  Some consider it very serious while others see little problem with its use.  This discrepancy within a unified institution such as BCCHS can cause problems.  Where does BCCHS stand?   Bishop Carroll never condones the use of alcohol by minors.  This stance is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and St. Paul when they say, “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness” (Luke 21:34).  And again, “Do not get drunk… for that is debauchery” (Eph 5:18).  [See also 1Thess 5:6-7; 1 Cor 5:11; 6:9; Rom 13:13; Gal 5:19; and 1 Peter 4:3.]

Beyond scriptural sources the simple fact is that underage drinking is illegal and lethal.  But there are serious consequences to underage drinking that go beyond the danger of an automobile accident or simple illegality.  Alcohol numbs the “decision-making” part of the brain, which causes altered behavior and increases many negative activities such as gossip, hurtful speech, rejection, and fighting both verbally and physically.  This negative behavior carries directly over into the halls of BCCHS and is the cause of many factions and arguments.  Alcohol also stimulates the “pleasure-seeking” part of the brain.  This causes children to be more likely to engage in illicit sexual behavior, which in turn leads to sexual manipulation, abuse and even the danger of rape.  Because of these negative consequences we must encourage our children to remain alcohol free. 

Unfortunately for our community, it is not uncommon for some parents to allow alcohol to be consumed on their property with their knowledge, even at times purchasing alcohol for youth.  Some parents feel that if kids are going to drink they would rather provide a ‘safe environment’ to ‘keep an eye on them’.   The fact is simple; there is no such thing as a safe environment.  The dangers listed above still exist even if parents or guardians are present.   Furthermore, such a mentality fosters habits that support students drinking whether or not a guardian is present.  It is naïve to think that students will only drink in the presence of adults. 

The practice of allowing students to drink or of purchasing alcohol for them must come to a stop.  No parent has the right to usurp another parent’s authority over their children by illegally providing alcohol or allowing alcohol to be consumed on their property.  This practice directly undermines the authority of other parents over their children and puts the child in a situation of grave danger that can cause serious harm or even death.  Such activity constitutes a serious breach of trust among parents and will only come to a stop when parents make their concerns and objections known to other parents.  It takes courage to confront other parents on this issue and even opens oneself or child up to criticism.  However, if we begin to form partnerships between parents now, a partnership based on trust, this criticism will soon give way.  Parents will then be assisting parents in forming Disciples of Christ.

Please talk to your children about avoiding the use of alcohol.  And please, do not allow alcohol to be consumed on your property or purchase alcohol for a minor.