EDITOR’s NOTE: This is the first of a two-day series on the increasing problem of underage drinking on the North Olympic Peninsula.
In private homes, cars and remote locations across Clallam and Jefferson counties, an increasing number of youngsters are using alcohol even though they haven’t reached the legal age of 21.
Reports from officials in Clallam and Jefferson counties show what they call an alarming increase in the number of juveniles arrested for possession of alcohol.
In Jefferson County, 81 children and teen-agers were arrested for alcohol-related offenses last year, an increase of 15 percent over 2000.
Additionally, 80 more young adults, ages 18 to 20, were also arrested for possession of alcohol.
Minor-in-possession charges accounted for 36 percent of all juvenile arrests in Jefferson County last year.
In Clallam County, 312 juveniles were picked up last year for possession of alcohol; 98 young adults, ages 18 to 20, were also arrested.
The apparent use of alcohol by minors has been increasing for several years in both counties.
From 1998 to 2001 the number of underage drinking arrests of juveniles increased nearly 50 percent — from 56 to 81 — in Jefferson County.
There was little change in the number of arrests between 1999 and 2000 — there were 69 in 1999 and 70 in 2000.
A state Survey of Adolescent Behaviors in 2000 showed a higher percentage of Jefferson County students were drinking, compared to their peers statewide.
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The rest of this story appears in today’s Sunday Peninsula Daily News. Click on “Subscribe” to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.
