Community must fight drugs, alcohol abuse among teens

Hanna Shpintzer

These things are more prevalent in our community than we think and know. I hope that our community can ensure, through the many successful organisations, that we have the proper structures to deal with these issues when they occur.

What happens when those committing these acts are minors or underage? Underage drinking has for many years been a massive problem in our community. Personally, I have seen young barmitzvah and batmitzvah boys and girls, getting drunk with their parents’ approval at their simchas.

What about the high school parties that young boys and girls host at their family homes, filled with alcohol and drugs? Parents today are turning a blind eye to the dangers and the effects of alcohol and drug abuse, all in the name of being cool and hip with teenagers. 

Just last week I was witness to a young girl from one of our community’s high schools, getting so drunk at a Halloween house party, that she woke up not knowing what had happened to her. These are 14-, 15- and 16-year-old kids, with parental consent, committing illegal acts that are imprisonable in our country. 

The questions I have are:

1) What are the Jewish day schools doing to educate both learners and parent about these dangers?

2) How can parents allow this type of behaviour? Where have the morals gone?

3) Is there any organisation in the community that can assist youngsters with help?

Let’s not wait till a tragedy occurs through “having a good time”. We can’t wait till it’s too late.

Parents and the Jewish day schools have a massive responsibility to ensure that illegal and dangerous acts are not carried out by our Jewish youth.

Edenvale