Submitted by Trinity Behavioral Care
TEENAGERS LOVE TO PARTY — ESPECIALLY DURING FOOTBALL SEASON. OFTEN ALCOHOL IS INVOLVED. SOME PARENTS THINK THAT HOSTING THEIR TEENAGER’S PARTY IN THE HOME WILL KEEP THE KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE.
WE KNOW YOUR INTENTIONS ARE GOOD.YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S ILLEGAL, UNSAFE AND UNHEALTHY FOR ANYONEUNDER AGE 21 TO DRINK ALCOHOL. DID YOU KNOW THAT PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THEMOST?
HERE ARE THE FACTS: IF YOU MAKE ALCOHOL AVAILABLE AT TEEN PARTIES, YOU CAN BE PROSECUTED.
IF YOU ALLOW TEEN DRINKING PARTIES IN YOUR HOME, YOU CANBE SUED. SO PARENTS, PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELVES AND YOUR KIDS — DON’T BE APARTY TO TEENAGE DRINKING. DO YOUR PART TO MAKE THIS FOOTBALL SEASON SAFEFOR EVERYBODY.
Parents play a major role in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. In a recent nationwide survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, nearly half (46%) of 17-year-olds had attended parties where teens were drinking alcohol, smoking pot, or using cocaine, Ecstasy or prescription drugs while a parent was present. Here are the facts:
• It’s illegal to give alcohol to your teen’s underage friends under any circumstances — even in your own home, even
with their parents’ permission.
• You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to consume or possess alcohol in your
home or on your property.
What can happen if you break the law:
• You face a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and $1,075 in fines and fees.
• Your penalties can “stack up,” as you can be ticketed for each underage person you provide with alcohol.
• You can be sued if you give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.
What you can do to protect yourself:
• Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21
• Be at home when your teen has friends over
• 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
Sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services
Parents Who Host Lose the Most is an original program of the Drug-Free Action Alliance www.daodas.org
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Trinity Behavioral Care of Marion, Dillon and Marlboro is available to assist your family by providing treatment, intervention and prevention services.
Trinity is the leading substance abuse agency in your county.
Our locations in Bennettsville, City of Marion and Dillon are easily accessible.
For confidential services contact Trinity at one of the three locations in your area. Marion 843-423-8292 103 Court St,, Dillon 843-774-6591 204 Martin Luther King Blvd. and Bennettsville 843-479-5683 211 North Marlboro Street.
