Teens don't need to drink to celebrate graduation

When Paul Westphal, a former USC and NBA player, was head coach of men's basketball at Pepperdine University, he once said there weren't many rules for his team in Malibu, but the first and most important rule was, "Don't be stupid."

Those three little words sound so simple. If you look at them at face value, they amount to nothing more than common sense. But on close examination, we learn that plenty of people violate the simple rule "Don't be stupid" on a regular basis. We all have at one time or another

Serving alcohol- or turning a blind eye to it- to a group of teenagers, is a recipe for trouble that can not only lead to an expensive fine, but can also be potentially deadly.

With high school graduations right around the corner, it might seem okay to some parents to allow their grads to celebrate their hard work with an drink with alchohol. Or two. But those parents need to remember two very important details: (A) serving alcohol to a minor is illegal and (B) the highest number of drunk driving accidents for teens occurs around this time of year, according to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving.)

The painful reminder of teens and drunk driving remains fresh in many parents' minds with the recent death of Cody James Murphy, a 17-year-old Newbury High School junior, who was killed on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu when he crashed his car after a night of drinking.

Thankfully the 17-year-old Camarillo girl- one of four passengers who was hurt in the crash- will recover from brain injuries.

High school graduation is a right of passage. Grads should be celebrated, recognized and awarded.

Just save the bubbly for when they turn 21.