April 15, 1986

Englewood Independent
107 W. National Rd.
Englewood, OH 45322

Dear Editor;

I want to praise the students of Northmont for making our area proud of them. I have heard reports that no Northmont student requested a free ride ( provided for drinking students) home from the Prom; they were not involved in any accidents due to drink ing; also, that no student missed school monday because drinking on Prom night. Thank you, Northmont students.

I was angered and insulted on Saturday by the front page article in the Dayton Daily News which told of outsiders to Northmont who were going to appear at the Prom and encourage those who drank to ask for free rides home. I was insulted that any one thought it necessary to provide rides for Northmont students who got drunk at the Prom. I was angered as I thought of the embarrassment of the many students that were treated as potential drunks because they wanted to partake of the biggest event in the school calendar. I am sure that for many this was their first date; surely they and their parents must have been humiliated as they read that article. I was angered that no one voiced concern that when ever a student under 18 drinks, someone has committed a criminal act. Isn't anyone concerned that some adult is provid ing booze to our youth?

Surely teenage drinking is a problem in America today. Everyone is sadden at the number of young people killed in alcohol related accidents. We are also sadden at the number of teen alcoholics. It is no solution to the problem, to encourage 'safe' (but sin ful) drinking. "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, ... ." Habakkuk 2:15 Let us have the courage to tell our young people that, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Proverbs 20:1, and "Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:" Isaiah 5:22 It simply is not 'cool' to drink. Drinking is 'uncool' before God.

It seems to me that when adults (?) tell our young people they can drink without reprisal, without responsibility they are actually encouraging teen drinking. I would think the message of God to the inhabitants of Meroz is pertinent to those who want to assist teens to drink safely. "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Judges 5:23 Obviously, God does not like a neutral attitude in times of crises. I hope that all parents of drinking teens will let them know, in no uncertain terms, of their and God's great displeasure. Alcohol is the devil's weapon to ruin lives. Let us combat teen drinking; let us not encourage it, by treating it as a juvenile right.

Yours for Jesus Christ, the Lord of both the dead and the living

Charles J. Arnett, Pastor of Union Baptist Church
111 Worman Dr.
Union Ohio 45322
836-3272