Josh Hutcherson, who stars in Hunger Games and is only 19 years old, was caught red handed buying booze in Sherman Oaks. At 19 he is well below the established legal drinking age of 21. According to media reports, which include photos of the star carrying a pricey bottle of whiskey when leaving Ralph’s Grocery Store, Josh shelled out more than $175 for a bottle of Macallan whisky. Under age drinking and alcohol abuse are big problems in the state. A private source close to the star admitted to the reporter that Hutcherson used a fake ID to make the purchase. Without actually seeing the fake ID used it is not possible to tell how credible the identification is or how hard it would be to spot as a fake. Management at the grocery store where Josh Hutcherson purchased the liquor has promised a full investigation and corrective steps to ensure that alcohol is not purchased by minors.
Under age drinking causes many deaths in the USA and Canada, and the use of a fake ID is not a new trick. Alcohol abuse and addiction among teens is a widespread problem that needs to be addressed more effectively. Many kids under 21 die every year from alcohol poisoning, or hurt others while driving drunk. Just because Josh Hutcherson is a celebrity and he can afford a very expensive bottle of whiskey does not change the fact that he is breaking the law by engaging in underage drinking and purchasing alcohol as a minor. Not to mention using a fake ID can carry criminal charges, and so does underage drinking and DUI.
