75 percent of high school students drink alcohol

About 70 percent of high school students and 53 percent of middle school students in the CNMI have had at least one drink of alcohol, based on a recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the Public School system.

This trend, which Youth Congress Speaker Alana May Leon Guerrero described as “alarming,” has prompted the youth lawmaker to propose a bill that calls for stricter and harsher penalties for minors found violating the law.

Leon Guerrero is scheduled to introduce the bill during an upcoming regular session.

Although there are established laws to prevent minors from consuming alcohol, she said the existing penalties need to be strengthened to discourage minors from drinking alcohol and deter persons from providing alcohol to minors.

She believes that penalties for tobacco use by minors are far more stringent than that of alcohol consumption.

Legislation passed by the Youth Congress are not legal laws but are deemed strong suggestions for House lawmakers to formally draft related bills.

Leon Guerrero wants the fine increased from $100 to $1,000 for those found serving alcohol to minors and suggests imprisonment of not more than a year, instead of the current law’s 90-day term. She also recommends 300 hours of community service.

The youth speaker also recommends that establishments be barred from employing service crews or those serving or mixing alcohol if they are not more than 21 years of age, instead of the current requirement of 18 years old.

According to Leon Guerrero, those serving alcohol to minors should be subjected to a $1,000 fine, one-year imprisonment and 300 hours of community service for a first offense; $3,000 fine, imprisonment of not more than 3 years, plus 300 hours of community service for a second offense; and $5,000 fine, five years imprisonment and 500 hours of community service for a third offense.

For minors purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages, a one-year imprisonment and 350 hours of community service plus a workshop on substance abuse are recommended.

The youth speaker, who is a student at Marianas High School, disclosed that peers often drink alcohol for fun.

“As a high school student and active youth in our community, I’ve spoken to many of my peers on the issue. Many say they drink because it’s fun, a reason to hang out with friends, a way to relax and it tastes good,” Leon Guerrero said yesterday.

Whatever the reason, she said it is wrong to consume alcohol at a young age.

“There are many good reasons why alcohol is for adult consumption, and be that as it may, there are adults who act irresponsibly when they consume alcohol,” she said.

It has been Leon Guerrero’s goal to pass legislation addressing this issue. She recalled the many proposals neglected in the previous legislatures. She hopes to see this year the passage of the first amendments to the alcohol law.

Leon Guerrero admits this may result in her “unpopularity” among her peers. “But I stand ready…to defend my action and position. As an elected youth leader, I swore to look out for the best interest of the youth community in the Commonwealth,” she said.

During the recent Micronesian Youth Services Conference held on the island, the CNMI reported 58 cases of underage drinking during the calendar year 2008. These offenses are considered not the usual underage-drinking violations but usually accompanied with assault with dangerous weapons, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and curfew violations.

Of the 58 violators last year, 49 were males and 9 were females—all of various ethnicities. There were three minors who were caught driving under influence of drugs and alcohol, as well as reckless driving. The number of arrests involving minors that were found consuming alcohol reached 445 in 2003; 226 in 2007; and 347 in 2008.