[CitizenM]

There are several things in that email that perplex me. But, what I get is a feeling that this woman (and perhaps all the parents and chaperones) had a very "hands off" attitude about the kids. She said:
"She (her daughter)and Edward are both 18. Neither denied drinking; it was legal for them. Why should they have to "cover their own butts?"

I don't know about other parents, but even if drinking were legal at 18 in another country I would not want my child drinking. Maybe in Italy, some wine, with dinner and our family, that would be it.

However, I also know that when kids go off to college, still only age 17/18/19/20, they drink. It is hard to stop them. But I would never, ever make a statement like this mother did, appearing to approve of her 18 year olds drinking there...while, of course, they cannot do the same in their own country. Unless, this mother allowed her kids to drink at home, too so drinking in another country was not an issue to her, no matter what their age is.

[TexKat]

However, I also know that when kids go off to college, still only age 17/18/19/20, they drink. It is hard to stop them.

That says it. I am not going to judge any of these people. We do not know what she said to her daughter, we don't know what went on. I'm just sure she is very happy that it is not her daughter that is missing.