Law enforcement are taking a zero tolerance position on underage drinking

Many states are taking a stance against minors being in possession of alcohol or drugs. This zero tolerance position is designed to punish minors who engage in risky behavior and show them it is unacceptable. Various studies have shown that these substances have adverse effects on the development of teens, which could lead into them committing more crimes in the future.

For example, law enforcement officials from Linn County, Oregon are taking the driving privileges away from teens who receive minor-in-possession (MIP) citations, the Albany Democrat-Herald reports.

Many sheriffs are declining to sign a waiver form that would allow those who are found guilty of MIP to regain driving privileged under certain circumstances because they do not want to risk having irresponsible people on the road.

“If I sign a permit application and the next time, instead of it being an MIP, the kid is driving under the influence of intoxicants and runs head-on into your daughter’s car and kills her and your grandson, who are you going to mad at - the kid or the sheriff who signed off on the permit application?” Tim Mueller, Linn County sheriff, told the news source.

Enrolling adolescents into boarding school may help them avoid engaging in risky behavior, such as underage drinking or drug use.

According to the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, nearly 10 percent of high school student operated a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol.