I have recently moved back to North Dakota from Los Angeles. In coming back, I have noticed how Bismarck has grown, but of course in the wrong way. Bismarck still has yet to cut into the teenage drinking epidemic that has haunted the city for years and years.

While Bismarck continues to grow in retail, entertainment largely has lagged. Why aren't there things in Bismarck for teenagers to do at night? Living in L.A., teenagers have plenty to keep busy with, including many entertainment hot spots, such as discount movie theaters, state of the art bowling alleys, large arcades that are all open late into the night. What does Bismarck have? Absolutely nothing after 9 p.m.

Now, people must ask themselves, why hasn't Bismarck understood why underage kids drink? Well, frankly I look around and see that the city is dead on a Friday night by 10:30 or 11 for kids under the age of 21. Why doesn't Bismarck tap into a discount movie theater like Fargo or Grand Forks?

Well for one, Kirkwood Mall at one time had a movie theater on its premises, but due to high rent it closed, only to remain a vacant lost place that could serve as a place for kids to hang out late at night. How about a cool bowling alley? Oh yes, that's right, Bismarck closed its bowling alley.

Why doesn't Bismarck think about its kids rather than continue to punish them for simply passing time at night?

Why not take those extra funds for hiring extra police to crack down on underage drinking and give the money to an entertainment committee dedicated to making Bismarck a fun place for under-21-year-olds?

Seriously Bismarck, wake up. Kids are drinking at such an alarming rate that it makes me sick. Get going before we lose another round of kids to drinking problems.