The Most Tragic Summer: Isn't it time to start being parents?

Perhaps you all have watched the story of the 17-year old Glastonbury high school student who was killed mid-July after attending a friend's party (also a minor) where alcohol was being consumed.  Perhaps you watched this story and as you heard about this young girl's wonderful qualities and bright future you thought to yourself, "that could absolutely be my child."  Perhaps as you read about local authorities saying that this is "the most tragic summer" on record you've thought about why?  Perhaps as you've been around town you've heard stories of similar parties taking place, knowingly (or at a minimum blindly) in Farmington?  Perhaps you've heard the recent facts about Farmington parents who have had their own child cited for alcohol, suspended from sports, and yet still somehow allow parties at their home where minors are drinking to the point of severe alcohol poisoning and required emergency medical attention?  Perhaps you are amazed at the hypocrisy of parents who walk about town talking about these parents, yet also allow minors and their minor friends to drink at their home?  Perhaps you wonder, like me, when we are going to start being parents and stop enabling these activities?  The pressures around our kids to participate in these things are constant.  It is really tough to take tough stands on these things.  But that is what parents do.  Thank you to the good parents who do.  Those who don't, shame on you.  I hope that a Farmington student won't be the subject of stories like this because of YOUR actions and inactions.
 
http://www.courant.com/hc-glastonbury-teen-arrest-20130812,0,6936499.story