Spring breakers not immune to alcohol violations

Sandy white beaches and the cool blue ocean often serve as the ideal spring break paradise -- a place where students can escape pressures of school and demands of work. The only thing vacations like this require are a few friends, a modest amount of money and for those still underage, a fake ID.\nBut student travelers must be aware that local authorities in many vacation destinations are cracking down on drugs and alcohol abuse by visiting partiers in particular. The humorous stories so many have returned with in past years about crazy drunken escapades involving assorted bouncers and police might soon be replaced with more drastic consequences.\nPopular vacation destinations such as Florida and California are beginning to enforce their drinking laws more aggressively. For example, more than half a million college students migrate to Panama City, Fla., each year for both the warm beaches and a wild party scene. This is the same reason that police officers there have decided to escalate their presence and use jurisdictional law more prudently to decrease the amount of underage drinking. \nFlorida law states that a person must be at least 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. It is also illegal to have possession of open alcohol containers on public property. \nBecause so many students travel to Florida every spring, police officers have found that underage drinking can be better curbed by enforcing the law that addresses open alcohol containers. On their own time, many officers also serve as bouncers at local clubs to prevent the use of fake IDs. \nPeople look for all different things when choosing a spring break destination.\n"My ideal spring break spot is definitely South Beach for when I'm older and can legally get into bars and nightclubs, but for now I'd have to say I think a cruise would be pretty solid," said sophomore Jordan Rock.\nWhile some still find ways around the increasingly strict drinking laws in the United States, others opt to travel outside the country in their quest for the perfect non-stop party. One of the most popular places is Cancun, Mexico. There, a high school senior can legally possess alcohol. The official drinking age is only 18, which provides unlimited access to liquor to many more young adults than in the United States. \nWhen traveling out of the country, it's always a good idea to check the laws of the place you are visiting. \nFreshman Mallory Burns traveled to Europe last year and described the drinking laws and attitudes in Europe as being much different than those in the United States.\n"Drinking is more casual in Europe, and therefore is much more relaxed than it is over here," Burns said.\nTransporting any sort of illegal substance back into the United States is also something spring breakers try. Although it might seem easy, the consequences can be severe. Freshman Dan Packer thought that bringing marijuana from Jamaica would be easy. \n"I was with my Dad and my brother, so I thought that I wouldn't get searched," Packer said. \nHe soon realized that he was sorely mistaken. After being searched and found to be in possession of cannabis, he was fortunate not to face a more severe penalty. Although it may be soon forgotten to him, such occurrences have a way of resurfacing in background checks later when competing for a new job, a promotion or other opportunities for advancement.\nSpring break is a time for rest and relaxation, but it remains crucial to anyone who sets out on a spring break trip to be responsible for their actions and the potential consequences that come with them. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Laura Crylen at lcrylen@indiana.edu.