I remember the incident that Dr. Werzberger wrote about. The kids went to get the Dr. before they went to get the parents because they were scared to death. The parents had no clue the kids were drinking because it didn’t happen in the home. It was really touch and go for a while, it shook up the entire neighborhood. These were not at-risk kids. They found a bottle in shul. They were all shocked that the child passed out, had trouble breathing and was basically comatose.
This is not a joke, it is a very serious issue and unfortunately PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT GETTING IT! The more you argue that it is allowed and should be permitted the more you are telling young kids to go kill themselves. NO it is not allowed and NO it is not the halacha and absolutely NO it is not a mitzvah. Furthermore it is against the law to drink under the age of 21.
I have worked with at-risk for many years and I want you to know that nothing should be taken lightly. Not the cigarette smoking and not the drinking. It never ends there and it is never occasional, it just seems that way because they are good at hiding it. If they can’t buy alcohol in the store they buy cough syrup they call it “robotripping”.
Alcohol and nicotine are known as “gateway” drugs. They lead to stronger and more satisfying drugs when kids get too used to the alcohol and nicotine. Once they no longer get the high or numbness they are looking for they need to reach further. So when you make excuses for getting drunk, when you make excuses for kids drinking or allow it or give it to them, you are guilty of adding to the delinquency of a minor and make no bones about it.
Understand something else and please understand this well. EVERYONE THAT WALKS THROUGH THE LIFE OF A CHILD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THAT CHILD. Do you know what that means? It means you have to be the best role model you can be to all the children of K’lal Yisroel. Now ask me again whether or not getting drunk on Purim is a mitzvah or whether or not kids should be permitted to drink on Purim. As a role model for children what would you say now?