KANSAS CITY, Mo. — According to a letter posted on the Clay County Sheriff’s Facebook page, the office and county prosecuting attorney were stunned to learn that, according to a 2012 survey, nearly 75 percent of Clay County high school students say they could easily access alcohol.
Sixteen percent said they had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. In the letter, the county is urging parents to talk to their kids about alcohol.
“I take the direct approach. I don’t beat around the bush about it or anything like that,” said dad Chris Robinson.
Robinson is not shy about talking to his 14-year-old daughter about underage drinking. Officials in Clay County want more parents to do the same. Robinson said his 14-year-old isn’t quite ready for prom as he recounts what happened the night of his son’s prom.
“There was a big old group of them that went. They found alcohol on the bus. They called and told us about it. We called the limo company and just totally went off on them,” Robinson said
That’s why limo and bus drivers must do their part as well.
“Usually there’s the partition that goes up and down that disconnects the driver from the back, but for the prom jobs we go ahead and pulled the fuse out,” said Anthony Campobasso.
Campobasso owns Vegas Limousine and says drivers must keep an “ear” out, since their eyes have to stay on the road.
“You can hear what’s going on, when it’s real quiet, kind of if they’re up to something,” he said. “And then when he gets a chance, if they’re out to dinner, or when he comes back and starts to pick up and clean up, just keeping an eye open for anything that shouldn’t be going on.”
Vegas Limousine drivers also try to limit stops, which can limit the chances for a teen to sneak alcohol back into the vehicle. Those renting the company’s limos also have to sign a contract stating that they will abide by drinking laws.
