Editorial: Teens, parents, community all part of responsibility balancing act

Naperville's downtown has been a source of pride for years for the West suburb. Its mix of entertainment and retail amid a riverfront park has beckoned residents and out-of-towners alike.

The community has also been named one of the best in the country in which to raise children. And one of the most livable cities in the nation.

However, some teens in Naperville say they face a pressure-packed view of life and many have turned to alcohol or drug use to cope.

With all those competing forces as a backdrop, the city recently decided it would allow - on a test basis - five licenses for restaurants to serve alcohol on blocked-off areas on public sidewalks downtown.

The vote was 5-3 in favor. And now one of the three council members opposed wants to concurrently discuss the issues facing Naperville teens so, as she said, the community "can make better decisions."

In looking at this issue, we see both sides of the concerns and would likely be inclined to agree with the council majority to give the sidewalk alcohol serving its test. As one council member said: "The one-year cap is a huge safety net. If this turns out to be a problem, then we simply won't do it anymore."

But we also agree with council member Rebecca Boyd-Obarski that Naperville must continue to talk openly about its culture and whether that helps or hinders teen choices.

"We give substantial funding to prevention of things that are dangerous to our youth," Boyd-Obarski said before the vote on sidewalk liquor licenses. "And yet here we are perhaps looking the other way."

She added: "If the message that our Naperville culture sends is 'It's a good time if you've got an alcoholic drink in your hand,' how do they sort through that?" she asked.

Good question.

She is proposing a town hall gathering that would give social service organizations a chance to present research-based information on preventing alcohol and substance abuse.

"Someone going downtown and having a drink on a sidewalk isn't going to create a major alcohol problem," Adam Russo, chairman and CEO of Edgewood Clinical Services in Naperville told the Daily Herald's Marie Wilson. "In a whole host of ways culturally, we're missing the boat."

The event sounds similar to one already held in Naperville last November. It was a free presentation called "Choices: The Cop, the Convict and The Kids." It featured the stories of three people who've made some bad decisions that led to addiction followed by some good ones that pulled them out of the disease. Parents were given some good advice as well: "Your kid shouldn't be your best friend," said one speaker. Another was to point out the choices parents make in monitoring their children.

Responsible decision making is key for teens, parents and community members. If that is done, an adult having a beer or glass of wine on a sidewalk shouldn't be a problem.