On Monday night, September 21, 2015, at 7 p.m. the junior class gathered in the auditorium to listen to a program on social liability presented by Plymouth County district attorney Timothy Cruz.

This mandatory presentation focused on not only the influx of drinking and drug related felonies caused by minors but also the parent’s role in these situations. Cruz discussed how many parents are asking the question, “The kids are going to drink anyway so why don’t we provide a place in our home for them where they can be supervised?” He stressed that while the intentions are good the parent has no idea what is going to happen after those kids leave their house with alcohol in their system. If the teen is caught or arrested that adult could be charged. Even if the parent is unaware of drinking happening on their property or if they are not home at the time of the “party,” if one of those teenagers who was drinking gets caught then the adult could get charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor which comes with a maximum of 1 year in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Aside from the parents, Cruz focused on drinking and drugs that are becoming increasingly more prevalent in our society. He revealed some staggering facts about the number of teenagers who chose to drink underage. About 28% of teenagers, 10.8 million, are current drinkers and about 18% of teenagers, 7.2 million, are binge drinkers. These incredibly high numbers contribute to a number of problems in particular drunk driving. Each year over 5,000 teens are killed in drunk driving accidents. By getting behind that wheel and choosing to drink and drive you are not only risking possible charges if you are caught but also the possibility that you could kill you, your passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians.

Cruz told stories of teens, who have killed others while under the influence, he sees in the courtroom desperate for the chance to go back and change their decision to get in that car. Those kids have to live with their actions for the rest of their lives along with the consequences that, for killing someone, can land them up to 20 years in prison, up to $25,000 fine, and a license loss of 15 years to life.

Besides drinking Plymouth County has a serious drug problem. In the Unites States about 7.4% of teenagers admit to using prescription painkillers for non-medical uses. Some of the most commonly used drugs are opioids, depressants, and stimulants. Just by taking one hit of OxyCotin your chances of addiction and overdose skyrocket. These drugs are not only illegal but also potentially fatal; combining drugs like Valium with alcohol can lead to your breathing to stop entirely.

While Cruz really emphasized to the juniors that messing around with drugs and alcohol can lead to some very serious consequences he also discussed a few programs that were installed to help first time offenders to minor offenses get back on the right track. Through the Juvenile and Adult Diversion programs the teens and adults are offered a chance to take classes in order to avoid the traditional court system. The Juvenile Diversion program has a 93% success rate with 83% of participants never becoming involved with the juvenile court system again. So while going to that party may seem like all fun and games the choices you make can impact your life and the lives of others forever.