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Parents Who Host, Lose the Most: Don’t be a Party to Teenage Drinking
5/20/2019, 2:27:49 PM
 

Parents play a major role in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. In a National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University survey to parents and teens, one-third of teen partygoers have been to parties where teens were drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, or using cocaine, ecstasy or prescription drugs while a parent was present. By age 17, nearly half of teens have been at parties where parents were present. 

The Rocky River City School District has partnered with Drug Free Action Alliance to reinforce our community message that underage drinking is unsafe, unhealthy and unacceptable.

With prom and graduation season upon us, it is imperative for parents to be aware of the increased risk of teen alcohol parties occurring and the potential dangers that accompany those alcohol-fueled gatherings. It is important for parents to proactively take measures to help ensure these special times are fun, yet safe and drug-free for their teens.

The Drug-Free Action Alliance has developed the Parents Who Host, Lose the Most public awareness campaign to provide parents with accurate information about the health risks of underage drinking and the legal consequences of providing alcohol to youth. The campaign encourages parents and the community to send a unified message at prom and graduation time that teen alcohol consumption is not acceptable. It is illegal, unsafe and unhealthy for anyone under age 21 to drink alcohol.

What parents should know:

  • As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21, under any circumstance, even in your own home, even with their parent’s permission. 
  • You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol. 

If you break the law:

  • You can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine.
  • Others can sue you if you give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.
  • Officers can take any alcohol, money or property used in committing the offense.

Things you can do as a parent:

  • Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21.
  • Be at home when your teen has a party.
  • Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or property by your teen’s friends.
  • Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending.
  • Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so teens feel welcome.
  • Report underage drinking to local law enforcement.

Fact Sheet:

  • It is illegal to host or allow teen drinking parties in your home.
  • It is unhealthy for anyone under age 21 to drink.
  • It is unsafe and illegal for teens to drink and drive.
  • Parents can be prosecuted under the law.
  • Everything associated with a violation, such as personal property, can be confiscated.