Parents Who Host Lose The Most: Don’t Be a Party to Underage Drinking

A Unified Message:

Parents play a major role in their children’s choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
Most teenagers appreciate when their parents set boundaries and fairly enforce expectations
Adults hosting underage drinking parties:

Know the Risks:

Taking away the car keys does not solve all of the problems related to underage drinking
6 people under 21 die every day from non-driving, alcohol related accidents, such as drowning, falls and suicide
Unwanted sex and delinquent behaviors increase with underage drinking
Underage alcohol use has been reported to be involved in 36% of homicides, 12% of male suicides and 8% of female suicides
Young people seem to be aware that using alcohol influences their decisions about sexual behavior: 29% of 15-to-17 year olds and 37% of 18-to-24 year olds said that alcohol or drugs influenced their decision to do something sexual

If your child drinks alcohol, it is likely that alcohol will affect the development of his brain:

During adolescence, brain organization and function enters a unique period of flux.
It takes about 21 years for the human brain to build the necessary foundation on which all future development will depend.

If your teenager drinks alcohol, he will be at greater risk of having alcohol problems as an adult:

Of adults who began drinking before age 15, approximately 40% report signs of alcohol dependence, which is four times higher than for adults who did not drink alcohol until 21.

What Parents Should Know:

As a parent, it is against the law to provide alcohol to teens under age 21 under any circumstances, even in your own home, even with their parents’ permission
It is illegal to knowingly provide a place for a person under the age of 21 to consume or possess alcohol or to allow this to occur on your premises, even if you haven’t provided the alcohol itself

With minors 18 years of age or older, you could face a maximum sentence of up to 6 months in jail and a $1000 fine.
With minors UNDER the age of 18, you could face a maximum sentence of up to 1 year in jail and a $5000 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 personal property used in conjunction with the offense

Know the Risks:

It is illegal to host or allow teen drinking parties in your home
It is unhealthy for anyone under 21 to consume alcohol
It is unsafe and illegal for anyone to drink and drive
Parents can be prosecuted under Indiana’s Social Host Law
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 PARTIES to local law enforcement

Scott County Sheriff’s Department

Anonymous Tip Line: (812) 752-7898