The top headline Aug. 12, “Dozens charged after party,” has got to be worrisome for anyone concerned about children and their connection to the adult world. Is there nothing people can do about teen drinking and smoking besides sending armed squads with dogs to raid their parties?

The outcome must be clear to even the most obtuse politician. The teens will find more obscure places to have their parties; they will trust fewer adults with the location information; and the armed squads will come back to the people for more money to pursue them, since the teens are no more likely to stop doing drugs and alcohol than the adults.

What are we thinking?

Jim Tierney, Auburn