Bonfire puts spotlight on underage drinking

There are two schools of thought on underage drinking: Maybe the legal age to drink is too high. Or maybe the legal age to do other things -- vote, marry, fight in a war -- are too low.

But indisputably, the topic is on the minds of Southeast Missourians due to a tragic incident that centered on underage drinking. And while the physical wounds from it heal, the repercussions for some continue.

Here are the established facts: There was a bonfire party Jan. 18 just outside the Cape Girardeau city limits. There was a beer keg dragged close to the flames to keep the tap from freezing. Other kinds of alcohol were being circulated. Dozens of the approximately 100 guests weren't yet 21, the legal drinking age. And many of those underage drinkers were high school students.

Someone threw live ammunition into the fire, but nobody thought anything about it. But then someone tossed a five-gallon plastic gasoline can onto the bonfire. It exploded with such intensity that it snuffed the bonfire and sent burning gasoline flying through the air. Fourteen people were burned -- one teen so much so that she'll have to have reconstructive surgery on her legs. There's no telling how many minor injuries went unreported.

A Millersville man, Jerry Self Jr., 22, has been charged with 14 counts of felony second-degree assault for allegedly throwing the gas can onto the fire.

Here's what's in dispute: Whether the three men who reportedly were the hosts of the party, all of whom are underage, should be charged in the matter. Whether the over-21 man accused of providing the alcohol should be charged. And whether the underage drinkers should feel the sting of the law.

That's part of a larger debate over what to do about these bonfire parties as a whole. They're more frequent than most adults probably imagine.

Deputies are well aware of them. They say there are too many serious criminals to worry about arresting teens enjoying beer. Besides, it's tough to make such a charge stick.

Some say it's up to the parents to stop their underage children from drinking, but what are most parents going to do with 18-year-olds who want to go to parties? At that age, they're pretty much trusted to make their own decisions. And, while there's no evidence that this was the case with the Jan. 18 incident, some parents believe the bonfires are good, clean fun.

And then there are the teens themselves, who, of course, feel they should be trusted with a beer if they can be trusted to live on their own and take on other adult responsibilities.

At this point, with so many unresolved issues, it's difficult to say when, if or how anything about these bonfire parties and underage drinking will change. There are studies that show lowering the drinking age also means even younger teens become problem drinkers. But it is important that people throughout Southeast Missouri know about the issue and have started a dialogue about the potential problems.