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Family honors parents with donation to hospital Nearly paralyzed with pain, Armin Schaper arrived at neurosurgeon Dr. Amory Fiore's office in Greenwich unable to get out of the car. Full Story In town Police forum to address teen drinking Greenwich police youth officer Detective Christy Girard will moderate a community briefing dubbed "Take it Back" on youth and alcohol at 7 p. Full Story Town passing out new meter cards Parking enforcement officers have been giving out more than tickets recently in downtown Greenwich. For the past two weeks, they have been handing out plastic cards embedded with a chip that shoppers and other would-be users can use to pay to park at a growing number of meters in the central business district. Full Story Judge delays jail time for Fay The priest convicted of stealing $1 million from his Darien church does not have to report to prison for another seven weeks, a federal judge has ruled. Full Story Man might have cracked skull in brawl STAMFORD -- A city man is hospitalized with what may be a fractured skull after smacking his head against a curb during a brawl downtown Thursday, police said. Full Story Virgin Atlantic offers NORWALK -- Some Virgin Atlantic Airways customers will soon get a "green" ride to the airport. Late this year, the Norwalk-based airline plans to roll out zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell cars that can transport business-class passengers to New York airports, the company announced yesterday. Full Story Blue Sky exec lobbies for tax credits HARTFORD -- The chief operating officer of Blue Sky Studios Inc. was at the capitol yesterday lobbying lawmakers to support millions of dollars worth of financial incentives to move the company to Greenwich. Full Story Benoit to return to work Seven months after being suspended, Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Joseph Benoit will return to his old job on Monday, abandoning an earlier effort to fire the 34-year-department veteran for poor performance, town officials said yesterday. Full Story Lawyer: Cancer will kill priest The former church pastor sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling $1 million from his Darien parish will die there if he's not allowed to complete a clinical trial for a new cancer drug, his attorney said this week. Full Story Panel votes to extend higher conveyance tax HARTFORD -- A legislative committee yesterday voted 29-21 to extend higher real estate conveyance tax rates for two years with the potential of exempting financially strapped homeowners. Full Story Seniors reject using civic center for students Some seniors want the Board of Education to reconsider taking over Western Greenwich Civic Center for use as a temporary home for displaced Hamilton Avenue or Glenville school students. Full Story

12/17/02 Enforcement is key on teen drinking

EDITORIALS

Enforcement is key on teen drinking
December 17, 2002

The arrests of a mother and daughter who hosted a party at which police allege alcohol was served to Greenwich High School students signal a new interest by authorities in dealing with a problem that has been discussed for years: teen drinking. Those in Greenwich who have spoken out about the issue should support stricter enforcement, as well as the stalled community substance abuse program that seems to be gathering fresh momentum.


Our town sometimes needs to be shocked into action. The problems with underage drinking that occurred during the GHS homecoming celebration may have provided townspeople with the equivalent of a slap in the face. Six girls and one boy, all of them freshmen or sophomores, were suspended by school officials for drinking. Two of the girls, who allegedly attended the party in question, were taken to Greenwich Hospital, where one was treated and released and the other spent three days being treated.

The ages of those suspended are 14 and 15. If that is shocking to readers, consider that experts in town say children younger than 10 are among those who abuse alcohol in Greenwich.

Nonetheless, the situation apparently was so troubling that Greenwich police were able to bring charges against Mary P. Pool, 47, and her daughter, Mary B. Pool, 17, who held a party at their North Street home. They were charged with risk of injury to a minor. The Mrs. Pool's husband, Harry, who was out of town at the time of the party, has said he is sure no alcohol was served at the event and has hired an attorney. Both mother and daughter are to appear in court Friday in Stamford.

Regardless of the outcome, this case raises questions about where the teens got alcoholic beverages and who should be responsible for underage drinking. Police note that too often they lack evidence to charge adults who own the houses where drinking parties take place, even though state laws can make the owners subject to arrest. That's why we have suggested that state officials look into laws prohibiting possession of alcoholic beverages by youngsters, as well as more thorough enforcement of existing statutes.

Making it illegal for people under 21 to have alcohol could have a chilling effect on young people who are asked on college applications whether they have ever been arrested. Colleges around the country are also caught up in efforts to eliminate binge drinking, which has become a dangerous way of life on many campuses.

Of course, heavy drinking isn't only confined to colleges, as the GHS homecoming dance debacle indicates. That's why we're glad to see concerned parents and officials from social service agencies and the Police Department rekindling discussions about the problem. A Dec. 11 meeting to begin to form a townwide coalition could be the first step toward putting initiatives to counter teen drinking back on the community's radar screen.

Over the years, the problem has remained important for some individuals, including many teenagers. Young people who support events at the Arch Street teen center, those involved with the Safe Rides program and members of Students Against Drunk Driving have made clear their concerns. So have the parents who make it a point to know where their teenage children are going and when they will be home.

But too many parents not only turn a blind eye to underage drinking but encourage it. Serving alcohol at a teen party on the theory having them home can ensure their safety is fallacious reasoning, for when the young party-goers leave, any control lapses.

That is why we are glad police are taking harsh steps in the pending case. We would like to think other communities would do the same, for this is a widespread problem. But unless our town, other municipalities and the state begin to address underage drinking with stricter measures, we fear a bad situation will only get tragically worse.