“Parents Who Host, Lose the Most:  Don’t be a party to teenage drinking.”

Know the new law . . . . .

The Santa Barbara County Social Host Liability Ordinance, will be implemented into County Law and in full affect December 2010. The Cities of Solvang and Buellton have also adopted the Social Host Liability Ordinance to make a united stand against the harms of underage drinking for the Santa Ynez Valley.

What is a Social Host Liability Ordinance? This law will hold hosts of any age, responsible for knowingly providing a location for underage drinking to take place.

What are the consquences?

First offense - $500 fine with completion of a mandatory education class.

Second offense - $1,000

Third offense - $2,000

Please remember . . . providing alcohol to teens can be costly for everyone involved.  It is illegal, unsafe, and unhealthy for anyone under age 21 to drink alcohol.

Here are the facts

• Most youth get their alcohol from friends and family.
• 91% of County teens admit that home is the #1 place to obtain and consume alcohol.
• Parents who give alcohol to their teen’s friends under any circumstances, even in their own homes, are breaking the law.
• Parents who knowingly allow a person under 21 to remain in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages can be prosecuted and everything associated with such a violation can be confiscated, including personal property.
• Parents can be sued if they give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they in turn hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.  In addition, criminal charges may be pressed leading to a possible sentence of 6 months in county jail and/or a $3,000 fine.

Suggestions

• Refuse to supply alcohol to minors or allow drinking in your home or on your property.
• Secure all forms of alcohol, firearms and other potentially hazardous items in your home in a safe place.
• Be at home when your teenager has a party.
• Make sure your teenager’s friends do not bring alcohol to your home.
• Let your neighbors know in advance there will be a party and that you will be there to supervise.
• Limit the party access to a certain area of the house/property.
• Call parents of any teen who arrives in possession of alcohol or under the influence.  If you can’t get in touch with the parent(s), keep the teen there or call the authorities if necessary.  You can be civilly liable if you know they have been drinking or under the influence and you let them leave.
• Make regular and unobtrusive visits to the party area with sensitivity to teens’ needs for privacy and independence.
• Report underage drinking or if you suspect a party host, call the sheriff.
• Communicate openly with other parents without blame or defensiveness regarding upcoming or past parties.

When you’re away from home or out of town

• Set and communicate rules and standards to be followed in your absence.
• Do not allow underage youth to have unsupervised parties or gatherings in your home or on your property.
• Have a relative or responsible adult stay at your home during your absence, have your teenager stay with a responsible adult or ask a neighbor to watch your house and stop in while you are gone.
• If you are concerned that your child might have a party anyway, you can call Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office at (805) 686-5000 and ask them to drive by at some point over the time you are gone.  Make it a point to tell your child you have asked law enforcement to do this.

If your teen is attending a party

• Know where your child will be.  Click here for a list of parents who have signed the Parent Pledge.
• Make certain the parents will be home and that no alcohol will be allowed.
• Know how your child is getting to and from the party.  Reinforce the message to your teenager that they should never allow someone who has been drinking or using other drugs to drive them anywhere.
• Assure your child that they can call you to be picked up whenever needed.
• If the activity seems inappropriate, express concern and keep your child home.

What Can We Do About It?

• Educate youth and parents about the harm associated with underage use.
• Connect parents with other parents who want to help prevent their teens from using alcohol and other drugs
• Change community acceptance of underage drinking.
• Establish community-wide consequences for underage use.
• Unite together to help prevent underage drinking.

Join the Santa Ynez Valley Coalition to Promote Drug Free Youth   

Quarterly Coalition meetings will be held at the PHP Conference Room on the 4th Tuesday of January, March, July and September at 4 p.m. unless prior notification is received. Monthly work group meetings are held at designated times at PHP.