Teens Find Creative Ways to Consume Alcohol

It’s something that Santa Maria Police said they deal with on an almost daily basis.

Underage drinking, teens getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

“Sure yea, juvenile drinking is very, very common,” said Sgt. Paul Van Meel of the Santa Maria Police Department.

Michael Fuentes is a Program Manager at the Santa Maria Youth and Family Center.

Fuentes said teens who drink alcohol are finding more creative ways to consume it.

“Kids mask their alcohol use, and what I mean by that is a lot of them use clear alcohol so it looks like they’re drinking water or they submerge it in gummy bears,” Fuentes said.

Police said this past weekend was a deadly reminder of what could happen when underage drivers get behind the wheel after drinking.

Officers said, 18-year-old, Esteban Cardona ran a red light on Saturday just after midnight at Broadway and Taylor.

Investigators said Cardona’s car was broadsided by a Chevy truck sending three of his passengers to the hospital including an 11-year-old boy.

Cardona was arrested for Felony DUI and Child Endangerment.

Police said while it’s unknown how Cardona obtained the alcohol he consumed that night, Fuentes said most of the time, it comes from the home.

“If they notice that stuff is coming up missing, they need to question the child to make sure they aren’t doing anything they shouldn’t be doing,” he said.

“Restorative justice its not just about getting kids in trouble its about bringing about good decision making and life skills,” added Sgt. Van Meel .