The Aug. 25 brief, "DWI suspected in pedestrian death," provides a gruesome story of underage drinking in Española. This tragedy has gravely affected Robert Duran's family, who mourn the loss of a loved one. The two teenage passengers will be haunted by this event. In addition, 18-year-old Justin Martínez, who allegedly chose to drink and drive, has changed his life forever.

It is time to face the fact that underage drinking in Española is out of control. Underage drinking kills.

Our own kids have told us (data from 2007 High School Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey) the following about underage drinking in Río Arriba County:

• 42 percent of high-school-aged teenagers are current drinkers.
• 52 percent of high-school-aged teenagers drink at someone's home.
• 67 percent of high-school-aged teenagers can get alcohol easily.
• 39 percent of high-school-aged teenagers had their first drink before the age of 13.

This fatal crash is a call to action for the Española community. This tragedy highlights that every community member needs to play a role in eliminating underage drinking and driving while intoxicated.

Family members must not provide alcohol or condone underage drinking; it is illegal and dangerous. Liquor retailers must not sell alcohol to minors or intoxicated customers; it too is illegal. We need elected officials, law enforcement, judges, parents and alcohol retailers to stop thinking that underage drinking is harmless. How many more people have to die in Española before the necessary actions are taken?

We owe it to the safety of our children and community to reinforce the seriousness of underage drinking and drinking and driving. The number of young people drinking in Española is not acceptable. Now is the time to impress upon our community that underage drinking and driving is illegal and deadly.

Felice Gurulé is chairwoman of La Visión del Valle Coalition, a group within Hands Across Cultures that deals with youth issues in Northern New Mexico. She lives in Española.