Don’t be A Party to
Teenage Drinking.
It’s against the law.
A public awareness program educating communities and parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties.
‘Tis the Season… for Graduation parties, summer get-togethers, relaxing camping weekends, and more. During these celebratory and relaxing times, we may also relax our guard a bit. It’s normal. We don’t want to always be the one saying “No.” As the adult host, we might tell ourselves to lighten up, that since we’re in charge nothing could possibly go wrong.
This phenomenon reminds me of when I was a teen and quickly learned the key to an enjoyable out-to-dinner-with-the-family event. My dad, when taking the family to dinner without any outsiders, was one of the grumpiest people on the planet. He told us what we could order and would get upset if we had the audacity to suggest that we really didn’t want the liver and onions just because it was the cheapest thing on the menu. In contrast to that, if one of us had invited a friend, my dad turned into the ultimate host—Mr. Congeniality. Everyone was able to order what they wanted, and dad told jokes throughout the course of the meal—lame jokes, for the most part, but that’s what dad’s do, right? He loved throwing parties and being the host…it made him happy.
The reality of the situation is that if you are the host and underage guests consume alcohol, you are the responsible party. Things just went from fun and relaxing to potential legal consequences. Drinking laws are in place for a reason, whether you agree with the laws or not, you are still subject to them. The bottom line is that teens don’t process liquor in quite the same way that adults do. It causes more damage faster. And teens, especially those who have been drinking, lack judgement as to what is “enough”.
The Parents Who Host, Lose The Most program was started in 2000 and it has been requested for replication in all 50 states, Canada, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. And each year I see more and more stories about police cracking down and prosecuting the party hosts. So ask yourself whether it is worth it.
A Public Service Announcement from
Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking
.