To the Editor:

The article “Liquor Concealing” by Cassandra Wise is a subject that needs more attention. As hard as it is to grow up responsible children, we don’t need something as underhanded as concealing liquor in shoes and other clothing articles, it’s teaching them to be underhanded and sneaky which could lead to a life of lawbreakers and criminals Parents and caregivers, I urge you to know your children no matter how well-behaved and well-adjusted you think they are, they still need overseeing. The argument often comes up about whether we should or do we have a right to inspect their rooms and such. The answer to this is this; it’s not sneaking searching or being nosey, it’s called parenting, and you the parents are responsible. It is called caring and loving. Why do you think they have report cards? They have rules and regulations according to their ages for a reason. You make sure they go to the dentist for checkups, brush their teeth, take baths and eat regular. You are paying their bills, buying their clothes, handing out allowances and many other things because you feel it is your duty, and it is. You are in charge.

Should parents check out their rooms? Do you think they don’t check through your stuff whenever they can? To have hidden compartments inside of shoe heels the way some teens like to exchange clothing and leave them around for other kids to find and wear or inspect is a danger we do not need. The Columbine experience alone should tell us something.

Most of the people in my recovery group are in their early 20s and 30s, meaning they have been drinking and using from an early age on a regular basis. Over the years I have asked every first timer how they got started and to a person they have said, I was out with some people and they were doing it. Never have I heard, I inherited it or I woke up one morning and said, “I’m going to be an alcoholic or a drug addict.”



Johnnie P. Livingston

Spartanburg