During the Belau Tourism Association (BTA) General Meeting last week, BPS Deputy Director Jennifer Olegeriil said the number of underage drinking and alcohol related incidents being cited exceeded that of the cases of the adults.
“Teenager ages 14 to 25 are usually involved in break-in establishments for alcohol. They steal alcohol for their own consumption.” Olegeriil said.
She said that despite the law prohibiting minors to buy and drink alcohol; minors usually get alcohol from either letting an adult buy it for them or taken from their households.
Olegeriil also said that most teenagers smoking marijuana get the stuff from the adults.
“We as the Bureau of Public Safety are doing our part but we are asking the cooperation of the parents to take the responsibility on the matter.” Olegeriil said.
The deputy director alsoexplained that they issued citations for the minors who were arrested for alcohol consumption and then inform their parents. But parents were usually busy and they were not able to come.
Usually parents scoldthe police for arresting their children.
Olegeriil, however said the number of minorsinvolved in burglaries, break- ins ofestablishments and stealing of alcohol are down in June compared to the previous months of March, April and May.
She said that a Task Force was created by the BPS to look into underage drinking and violations of minors on curfew hours.
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