It’s only a little ironic that during the very weeks parents, educators and therapists are urging the Island to take teen substance abuse more seriously, six Vashon establishments fell prey to a sting operation and sold alcohol to an undercover minor.

Surely, the sales were unintentional — mistakes made in the rush of a busy evening or under dim lights.

At the same time, it’s noteworthy that the state Liquor Control Board invited all Vashon vendors that sell alcohol to a free training about the ins and outs of complying with state liquor laws just weeks before the sting — a training held on Vashon. Only one person, a Thriftway employee, showed up.

It’s also noteworthy that underage ID is not hard to read. The ID is vertical rather than horizontal, making it particularly easy to catch.

According to many Island professionals, Vashon has a problem. A high number of our high schoolers, by their own admission, drink and smoke marijuana. And according to a groundbreaking survey two years ago, a lot of those high schoolers believe they’re not straying from the Island norm in doing so. Island adults, teens said in the survey, seem permissive when it comes to alcohol and marijuana.

Permissiveness may not have been behind the six Island vendors’ mistakes. For the most part, they’re not talking, so it’s impossible to know. But whatever the reason, their actions sure don’t help.

If Vashon is to turn the tide on teen substance abuse, our business community needs to be right there with us. This is clearly one of those instances when the phrase “it takes a village” is germane.