Duxbury Voters OK Decriminalizing Underage Drinking
DUXBURY (CBS) -- Duxbury is changing the way it polices and prosecutes underage drinking.
On Saturday, Town Meeting voters approved fining underage drinkers instead of sending them to court. The measure received overwhelming support, passing 181-to-9.
Related: Duxbury Considers Plan To Decriminalize Underage Drinking
First-time offenders will face a $150 fine, and repeat offenders will be fined $300.
Duxbury Police CHief Matthew Clancy says now everyone will face at least some consequence. Parents will still be contact, and in aggravating circumstances an arrest is still an option.
"The misconception is we're trying to loosen up on dealing with minors and alcohol," he told WBZ-TV, "Which is completely not the case. What's going on is...we're saying that we're going to be stepping up enforcement."
Many parents say it's worth a try. One parent called the new measure a "middle ground" between arresting underage drinkers and just notifying parents.
One Duxbury High School student said, "I don't think it should stay with them for the rest of their lives. If they make a mistake when they're young, there's no reason that should affect them when they're older."