For those in our community that do not know, MADD's mission is "To stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking." It is the later part of the mission I would like to speak to.

Martin County has a problem with underage drinking and social hosting (adults condoning the use of alcohol by minors). Recent statewide analysis places Martin County near the top of the list in underage drinking. Groups like the Shared Services Network and its community partners, Children's Services Council, MADD and others have been working diligently for several years to protect our children by reducing our underage drinking statistics. These groups use a multilayered approach of prevention and awareness. Our message has consistently been that underage drinking is illegal and a health issue. Our efforts have proved to be successful. During the last reporting period Martin County statistics have come down. However, we obviously have a long way to go.

Prevention and awareness alone are not enough to keep our children safe. To tackle this issue we also need strong enforcement and the help of the entire community. Dealing with underage drinking is not just the school district or law enforcement's responsibility. It is the responsibility of every person in Martin County. It requires a clear and consistent message that underage drinking will not be tolerated in our community.

This message must come from every corner of Martin County. Sales clerks and bartenders need to ID consistently, limousine companies and drivers, as well as hotel and motel owners and staff need not turn a blind eye. Our institutions that deal with children need to review their policy and procedures to insure that they are as comprehensive as possible. Our local law enforcement needs to continue to work towards a consistency among their ranks on dealing with the issue. Business owners and Government agencies must send a consistent message in their policies in dealing with adult DUI. We cannot expect our children to sense a level of tolerance by not punishing adults for drinking crimes. The judiciary and States Attorneys need to remain resolved to diversion and treatment options for first time offenders.

First and foremost, parents and adults must strengthen their resolve to help put a stop to this problem.

Prevention and awareness alone are not enough. There has to be consequence for the action of underage drinking. A youth today that does not learn this lesson will be an adult of tomorrow that expects the same. Without consequence there can be no prevention.

Drinking by our youth is not a right of passage. What some of us did in our youth does not make it right. We should not condone the action. It does not make us hypocrites. We have the wisdom of age. As guardians to the younger generation it is our responsibility to insure that our indiscretions are not duplicated. It is our responsibility to make sure our youth live in as safe and healthy an environment as possible. Underage drinking is illegal and a health issue for youth. As long as we continue with a pervasive attitude that it is okay for our children to drink, we will have this issue facing us.

We speak often in our community about the quality of life. All of us can contribute to our quality of life by taking a zero tolerance attitude toward underage drinking. For the protection of our youth all adults have a responsibility to keeping our children safe.

For more information or to get involved contact MADD at 772.288.4418