In an article that appeared in the Jan. 2 edition of the Dallas Morning News, writers Diane Jennings, Selwyn Crawford and Darlean Spangenberger revelaed that, contrary to its "tough on crime" reputation, Dallas is relatively lax when it comes to punishing youths who have been arrested for drinking and driving:

A Dallas Morning News analysis of Dallas' municipal court found that about 850 kids under age 17 were ticketed for those offenses between 2004 and 2009. Hundreds more go through justice of the peace and other municipal courts in the county. And some are never ticketed at all.

It is "completely contrary to our 'tough on DWI' " stance, says Clay Abbott, DWI resource prosecutor for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.

The philosophy of juvenile justice is to give young offenders a second chance. But some experts say merely giving a young person a ticket with a few hours of community service and six hours of "alcohol awareness" lectures is a missed opportunity to stop the cycle of drinking and driving through treatment.

Some youthful offenders need more than a long lecture, they say. They need a substance abuse evaluation and, if they are deemed to have a problem, intensive treatment.

"We want to forgive and overlook youthful indiscretions," Abbott said. But studies show that young drinkers are more likely to reoffend. "By not punishing the kids earlier, it becomes more serious as an adult problem."

Labels: drinking_driving

Posted By: Adolescent Substance Abuse