The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Teenage drinking and risk-taking

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Teenage drinking and risk-taking

By Our City Bureau

CHENNAI, SEPT. 20. The senseless death of Stephanie, a 21-year-old girl who was knocked off her scooter at the dead of night over the weekend, has raised several questions — for parents, the police, pub managers and the youth themselves.

City police say that something like this was just ``waiting to happen.''

``We have been trying to tell the hotels which run bars, pubs or discos to be careful. It is not moral policing as our critics might try to allege. But we have to value life. Youngsters should not be allowed to die like this,'' says a Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chennai.

He says that over the years, more and more teens have been crowding clubs and pubs and drunken driving has been on the rise. ``When traffic police resort to midnight checks to curb drunken driving, it is interpreted as harassment. Whom are we doing it for? It is time the parents woke to the reality and discharge their responsibilities,'' he argues.

For the pubs: The police would ideally like bars and pubs to ensure that youngsters do not get drunk and that drugs are not circulated there. That will mean half the battle is won.

"Drinks and drugs can cause serious problems.'' And when they get behind the wheel intoxicated, it makes it worse.

For the parents: Not just the police, but even psychologists feel that parents should take a greater interest in and responsibility for their wards.

It is not enough to give all the money, a vehicle and complete freedom. They have a duty to make sure that the freedom is not misused and that the freedom goes with some responsibilities. ``Is it to lose them so early in life that parents allow them to enjoy life?''

For the youth: Psychologists advocate counselling for boys and girls who tend to take life too easy.

While relaxation becomes imperative in the competitive environment they grow up in, it should not lead to such risk-taking. ``Chasing a girl is not an adventure, but a misadventure.''

But the real question is whether Stephanie's death will serve as a lesson to others.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu