New social host law to hold adults accountable for underage drinking

A new Mississippi law will crash drinking parties hosted by parents for teenagers.

On July 1, 2011, the "social host" law went into effect, making adults liable for knowingly allowing underage drinking (people younger than 21) on their property. A violation would be a misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

Mississippians Advocating Against Underage Drinking (MAAUD) and the Make A Promise Coalition were among coalitions of parents and health advocates who supported the bill that, after two fails, passed the House and Senate without opposition this past legislative session.

Adults aren't the only ones who may face punishment if the law is violated.

A person under the age of 21 who purchases or possesses alcohol could be fined up to $500 and sentenced to up to 30 days of community service, Horne-Cook said. Additionally, if they present law enforcement a false document stating they are 21 years or older, they, too, can be found guilty of the social host law and fined for up to $500 and sentenced to up to 30 days of community service.

The social host law is not limited to underage drinking in the home, but also gatherings such as pasture parties, bon fires and on private properties such as camps or lake houses. While the law is not expected to put an end to underage drinking, proponents say it will be a deterrent. Most importantly, it will hold adults and parents who host drinking parties for teens – or allow them to drink at home – accountable.

In the spring of 2009, the Coalition interviewed over 600 local students, educators, and parent, to collect data about youth drug and alcohol use in our community. The purpose of this project was to go beyond written surveys and to gather information from small focus groups about what is happening in schools, neighborhoods, and homes.Findings from the community survey assessment indicate that:

· 66% of adults think that underage drinking is more of a problem than illegal drug use by minors in Warren County

· 60% of adults surveyed reported knowing parents/adults who allow youth underage 21 to drink in their home.

· When asked what is, the number one thing that could reduce youth alcohol and drug use the primary answer was parental involvement, secondary was stricter enforcement of laws.

Also, Warren County was identified as one of the top ten counties identified in Mississippi due to youth suspension and expulsion rates related to alcohol. According to SmartTrack, for the 2007 school year, 219 6^th – 8^th graders and 135 9^th – 12^th graders reported that they had been suspended or expelled from school in the past year as a result of an alcohol related incident.