Teenage Drinking

As this is being written, word is coming in on the cable news channels that actress Lindsay Lohan has, once again, been arrested and charged with diving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Just two weeks ago the 22 year-old checked out of a rehabilitation facility wearing an alcohol monitoring device.

Another instance of misbehavior by one of Hollywood's growing number of delinquents would normally not be mentioned in this column. However, a news item in this week's True Citizen about teenagers buying alcohol at local convenience stores reminds us that celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lohan are, unfortunately, role models for young people all over the country if not the world. We'll leave it to the psychologists to explain why. The sad fact is that many young people, aided by the media, intently follow the antics of Lohan and others as they continue to wreck their young lives.

It is somewhat refreshing to note that law enforcement agencies, both here and in Hollywood, are not as amused as the fans seem to be. Cases are being vigorously prosecuted against the high profile entertainers and some are actually serving real time in jail. Perhaps the sight of these so-called role models in the back of patrol cars and on their way to jail will take some of the luster off their "celebrity".

Here at home, we're glad to see steps being taken by Waynesboro police to crack down on the sale of alcohol to minors. The undercover operation netted two store clerks who sold beer to a 17 year-old. One has been placed on probation for a year and fined $1000.

The other case has been continued.

Obviously, the point of all this is to get the attention of all those who sell beer or wine as part of their jobs. Drunk driving is an epidemic in this country, and communities must use every tool at their disposal to fight it.