Community costs of underage drinking

Underage drinking parties in our parks is a problem the Prevention WINS coalition has been raising awareness about since 2006.  Today, Q13-FOX reported on an underage drinking party at Gas Works Park during which teenagers plastered it with graffiti.

Photo from Q13FOX, July 29, 2014

Cleaning up graffiti and trash left behind by underage drinkers costs Seattle Parks and Recreation money they would probably prefer to use for other purposes.  Other costs include personal ones associated with driving drunk as well as first responder and medical costs associated with injuries from drunk driving crashes.  View a video produced by Prevention WINS on this very subject at www.PreventionWorksInSeattle.org

Update (11:55 a.m.):  A reporter from KIRO said that it was a "huge party" of more than 100 minors that did not appear to be homeless.