I would like to commend Donald Schutte for the proposal that seeks to prevent the consumption of alcohol by minors.

It is my hope and understanding that our city commissioners will be willing to support this proposal. As a community we desperately need to be more aware of the impact of alcohol, not merely by minors, but within all demographics of our society.

Our children learn to drink from us; it is hypocritical to point out the clear and present dangers of its use, and then participate ourselves. According to the Center for Disease Control, there are over 21,000 alcohol related deaths annually, not including those deaths which were the result of health conditions caused by alcohol use. 

This is not very far behind the national number of drug related deaths. We subject our youth to a constant double standard, by telling them “not yet”, then teaching them the opposite with the constant media endorsement of alcohol, as well as our own use of it. 

It is right and proper to make laws preventing our children from such self-inflicted injury, but until we as adults come to realize that it is our actions that speak louder than ordinances, we will continue to be plagued with tragedy. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”


Brian Haines
Tucumcari