Editorials

Any adult who gives alcohol to minors deserves punishment; and the penalty should be severe enough to warn off potential violators. That's why an unusual proposal that would add penalties holds some attraction.

State Rep. Marc Keahey, a Democrat from Grove Hill, wants to suspend the driver's license of anyone caught providing liquor, beer or wine to someone under 21. He thinks the current penalties aren't strong enough to deter people from helping the under-21 crowd get a drink.

Granted, the law allows a violator to be fined up to $1,000 and to be locked up in the county jail for up to six months. But whether that's a harsh enough penalty remains debatable.

Rep. Keahey's well-meant proposal brings attention to the serious problem of adults giving alcohol to kids. But go slow on adding a suspended license to the penalty. It's unlikely that taking a person's driver's license for three or six months would be much of a deterrent if the threat of spending six months in jail and paying out $1,000 in fines hasn't stopped the irresponsible practice.