Editor’s Note: The following is the fourth in a series of columns about underage drinking, by Matt Wier.

Why did prohibition fail? Well, I think that it’s pretty obvious — people like their alcohol. Alcohol is just a part of life for many people, and at its heart, there’s nothing wrong with it. But it is a substance that has many potentially harmful effects on the body, and thus must be used responsibly. So while it would be a bit extreme, and frankly, ridiculous to attempt to completely remove alcohol from society, we should still expect it to be consumed responsibly and legally. After all, laws are passed by people we elect, and they exist to protect us.

I expect this university to enforce the law and protect students to the greatest of its capabilities. I also understand, however, that this alone will not solve the underage drinking problem. The cause of the problem is what needs the most reform. And that cause is a society that continually averts its eyes from, and sometimes even facilitates, underage drinking.

According to the National Coalition Against Drunk Driving, the average age at which children begin to drink today is about 13. That is eight years under the current legal standard. Also, two-thirds of teenagers, including 13-year-olds, say that they can walk into a store and buy their own alcohol. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know too many 13-year-olds who could pass for someone the age of 21. Drinking is extremely prevalent in the lifestyles of youth today, and what’s worse than its illegality is that it is dangerous. Of children who begin drinking before age 13, 40 percent will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence sometime in their lives, says the NCADD.

So my question is, where are the parents in all of this? They, more importantly than our peers, are the ones who have had the greatest influence in our lives, so it is more their responsibility than anyone else’s to handle the alcohol problem.

It is a parent’s responsibility to talk with their kids about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs, and to teach them respect for their body and the law. It is not a parent’s responsibility to slap a beer in their teen’s hand and say “Have a good time.” But I know from my peers at school that this more or less happens relatively often.

In a survey by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 99 percent of parents said they would not serve alcohol at their teen’s party. But when teens were interviewed, 28 percent said they were at a party with parents present while other teens were drinking. So while some parents may be ignorant of what their child is doing, others are perfectly aware and supporting them in their illegal decision. The moms and dads of America need to take some responsibility for their kids and society and be sure of where and what their kids are doing. And if parents know their underage kids are drinking and/or are providing alcohol for them, they need a serious wake-up call. For a parent to willingly encourage their child to participate in an illegal and quite possibly dangerous activity is irresponsible, foolish, unloving and just plain stupid. Does it show more love to discipline a child and protect them from potential harm, or to accommodate them and risk the child’s overall well-being?

I have not been making an argument for whether or not the law regarding underage drinking is right in these past weeks. I’m just forming my argument on the fact that this law exists, and that society has a duty to uphold it. We also have the ability to change law, but as long as it is in effect, we should obey and enforce it as individuals, families, universities and law agencies. The issue of underage drinking is not about the good or evil of alcohol, but rather respect for health and the law.

Matt Wier is an opinion columnist for the Northern Star.