Meeting reminds parents dangers of underage drinking parties

“Parents who host, lose the most”
signs being posted around city

There are yard signs all over La Crosse, declaring “Parents Who Host Lose the Most.” 

Many of those signs were placed around town this weekend by young volunteers to remind families of the risks resulting from underage drinking as part a campaign by the Changing the Culture coalition of La Crosse. 

Speaking on Friday at the Ho Chunk Nation La Crosse Branch, retired La Crosse Police Chief Ed Kondracki pointed out that parents can be held responsible for problems resulting from drinking by young people.

“If you do have a party at your house, be there, be home,” Kondracki said. “Don’t just leave and think the kids will have a better time because you’re not there.”

With the school year winding down, prom and graduation parties could see underage drinking increase.

One concerned mother in La Crosse County was Tara Johnson, the county board chair. She asked other parents to avoid serving alcohol to teenagers at those parties.

“When alcohol gets served to young people … the risks are just too great,” Johnson said, mentioning that young people who start using alcohol are five times more likely to develop addictions than those who do not. “That those happy wonderful memories of proms and graduations get completely erased by tragic memories.” 

Kondracki also said reports show that one teenager in four admits to binge drinking in the past 30 days and, in many cases, adults provided them with the alcohol.