Deceiving teens part of drinking problem

Regarding "Parents can't afford this mistake" (Nov. 17 editorial), it was wrong for Evalen to have drunk kids at his house for a party his young daughter threw, though it seems that it is becoming easier for teenagers to get away with drinking underage.

Val Evalen of Northbrook has been blamed for having drunk teenagers at his house, and deserves partial blame. But there are also various teenagers that may have not even consumed alcohol at Evalen's home. These days there are many teenagers who drink before they go to a certain social function. Many of the 60-70 teenagers there may have done the same.

Evalen should not have allowed any water bottles or other refreshments in his home. But it is not just his fault for allowing his daughter to have this party. If some of these teenagers brought alcohol with, where did they get it in the first place? It is understandable to blame Evalen for full fault if he provided the alcohol, but he didn't. The parents of the teenagers are highly responsible for their children's actions. Some teenagers may have snuggled some alcohol from a parents home.

Evalen deserves blame for not reporting suspicions of drunken teenagers to the cops. But it was not his fault for the consumption of alcohol by the teenagers. Teen drinking is a sad happening, and it is highly wrong for someone to ever allow it in their home. But with fake IDs and deceiving teenagers, it has become an uncontrolled situation.

Jesus F. Zambrano

Lombard