Teen parties at your house?
Law enforcement agencies across the country report an increase in the number of parents who host “drinking parties” for their high-school aged kids. These parties are based on the dangerously flawed idea that teens are certain to drink anyway, and they’re safer doing it under adult supervision.
Parties are getting larger and can involve hundreds of kids- including strangers- in this era of text-messaging, MySpace, and instant messaging.
Before you consider opening your home to an underage drinking party, it's important that you consider the potential consequences, including the potential criminal liability, civil liability, and most important, the danger to the kids involved.
Potential criminal liability
Washington law states that it is unlawful for any person to sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of 21 years or permit any person under that age to consume liquor on his or her premises or on any premises under his or her control. A violation of this law is a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to one year in prison, or both.
Potential civil liability
If there is alcohol being consumed by minors at a party on your property, it could make you liable for any injuries or damages that happen as a result of that consumption. Lawsuits and criminal charges are real possibilities for how things can go wrong.
Last year a suburban Chicago homeowner was sued by a young man paralyzed in a crash that occurred after an underage drinking party in her home. The homeowner says she didn’t know that there was drinking going on in her house. Nevertheless, the homeowner’s insurance company settled the case for $2.5 million.
The bottom line is that unless you have a very comprehensive homeowner’s policy, you stand to lose everything as a result of hosting a drinking party for minors, or by not doing enough to make sure teens aren’t drinking in your home.
Danger to kids
Finally, and most important, drinking poses serious health risks for kids.
Some parents believe that drinking parties are a rite of passage. Others condone drinking, relieved that their kids are not abusing the array of other illegal drugs available to them. But those attitudes ignore the real picture. Alcohol abuse is as harmful as any of the more frightening choices kids can make.
According to the Campaign to Reduce Underage Drinking, "People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who wait until age 21."
And, according to the Mothers Against Drunken Driving (MADD), "There is a strong correlation between youth alcohol use and violence, risky sexual behavior, poor school performance, and even suicide."
So parents- protect your kids. Parenting is not a popularity contest to see who the “coolest” parent is. It really is okay to say no.
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Alcohol and Drug 24 Hour Help Line Toll Free: 1-800-562-1240 Online: www.adhl.org
State-funded treatment is available for teens and adults.
If underage drinking has been an issue in your family, share your own story with other parents. E-mail stories to: schneda@dshs.wa.gov
