MARBLEHEAD — Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, Police Chief Dennis King, and Superintendent John Robidoux delivered a unified message at a Marblehead Board of Health meeting that preventing youth substance use requires a coordinated, communitywide effort.
Speaking before more than 30 people in person and another 27 attending via Zoom, Tucker framed the issue as both a public safety and public health concern, particularly as prom and graduation season approaches.
“The topic for tonight is public safety, public health, and education, and that’s incredibly important,” Tucker said. “It’s also timely — prom season, graduating seniors — what can we do to make sure that we provide that healthy environment that all of us want?”
Tucker focused heavily on Massachusetts’ social host liability law, warning that adults who allow underage drinking in their homes can face serious consequences.
“There is no situation that I believe that it will be OK for adults to furnish alcohol or allow it to be possessed, thinking that they’re being well intentioned,” he said. “It’s up to a year in the House of Correction and a $2,000 fine, either or both.”
He also addressed a common misconception about police authority, explaining that officers can act quickly in dangerous situations.
“When the police are called, or they become aware of an issue with social host liability … the police do not need a warrant to enter,” Tucker said. “If the police had to go get a warrant, it would sometimes take between two and four hours. The harm that could take place in the interim might sometimes be incalculable, and there’s no turning back the clock if there’s a breach of the peace.”
Tucker emphasized that underage drinking is often tied to broader risks, including “impaired driving … injuries … poor decision making,” and said prevention efforts are critical.
“We know that the longer that we keep young people out of the judicial system, the chances of their success exponentially grow,” he said, describing restorative justice as a way “to repair the harm that somebody has caused.”
He also pointed to the lingering impact of the pandemic on youth mental health.
“I don’t think that we still, a couple of years out, have seen the top of the tidal wave on mental health coming out of COVID,” Tucker said.
Chief King echoed Tucker’s concerns but emphasized that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, instead calling for early intervention and community support.
“I do not believe criminal charges alone change the trajectory of a young person’s life,” King said. “Consistent support, timely intervention, clear expectations, and measured accountability are what make the difference.”
King outlined the dangers associated with underage drinking, saying, “Alcohol use by minors can lead to impaired driving, sexual assault, injuries, fights, alcohol poisoning, poor decision making, and long-term health and safety consequences.”
He also rejected the idea that teen drinking is a normal part of growing up.
“I hate that term, ‘teen drinking culture,’” King said. “It is never OK to allow that type of behavior.”
At the same time, he acknowledged the challenges facing families.
“Parenting adolescence is not easy,” King said. “The most effective prevention does not begin in a courtroom or a police station. It begins at home.” He added, “There’s a difference between youthful immaturity and dangerous conduct, but one can become the other if adults don’t step in.”
Superintendent Robidoux focused on the role of schools and the importance of coordination across the community, emphasizing a shift toward prevention.
“What’s most important … is that we have begun truly meaningful communication and collaboration with the community,” he said. “We are working toward being proactive here in Marblehead versus being reactive.”
Robidoux also noted that a joint letter from school, police, and district attorney officials was sent to families earlier that day, reinforcing safety expectations ahead of prom and graduation season.
“These milestones should be remembered for celebration, not for the preventable harm caused by underage drinking, impaired driving, or unsafe gatherings,” he said.
The letter urged parents to stay involved.
“Please know where your student is going, who they will be with, who is supervising any gathering,” Robidoux said. “There is never a safe reason to drink underage … the right decision is to leave, call a parent or trusted adult.”
He said schools are expanding mental health supports, but cannot address the issue alone.
“The schools can’t do it themselves,” Robidoux said. “The partnerships and collaboration are really important.”
“This is about healthy communities,” Tucker said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all. It’s all of these things together.”
“A strong community response requires schools, parents, police, public health professionals … all working together,” King added, while Robidoux said that collaboration will help ensure that prom and graduation season remains focused on student achievement.
This meeting was organized by the Board of Health, but largely driven by a recent town-wide study, Creating a Healthier Marblehead, and Board member Tom McMahon.
McMahon emphasized, at a recent select board meeting, how important this issue is to him.
“This issue is important to me and many others in town. How do I know that it’s important to others? I’ve never gotten more support for anything in my life than after I challenged why our social hosting laws weren’t being enforced… We got back the results of the survey, and lo and behold, one of the biggest concerns for people in town was underage drinking. You might say I had my finger on the pulse for that one.”
He added, “There is no part of Marblehead culture that has anything to do with parents hosting underage drinking parties, which put our youth in danger and have resulted in tragedy.”
During public comment, state Rep. Jenny Armini highlighted the importance of continued investment in mental health.
“Since COVID, the state has invested an awful lot of money in mental health … and we’re going to try, even in these difficult budget times, to keep that going,” Armini said. “All of our communities have benefited from that.”
Jennifer Schaeffner, member of the school committee, thanked the panelists and McMahon, “I just want to thank all the panelists, and really thank Tom McMahon, who was sort of Ground Zero on this, this summer.”
“There’s been a lot of folks who might not agree on a lot of things, but when it comes to this, we agree,” she said. “We want our children safe, healthy, and alive, and so I appreciate everybody coming out tonight, and we appreciate our folks on the panel and on the board of health as we come together as town leaders and town adults keep our kids safe.”
