Lancaster, Ohio — Fairfield County may consider toughening its law against parents who host parties that allow underage drinking.
Such a proposal will be presented at Monday night’s Lancaster City Council meeting by Prevention Works for Drug-Free Fairfield County. The group would like to make it easier for police and prosecutors to pursue charges against holding the events.
Current law prohibits “knowingly” allowing underage drinking. Prevention Works for Drug-Free Fairfield County wants “knowingly” changed to “negligently.”
The current penalty, however, would not change. The first-degree misdemeanor carries about a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/wsyx_vid_1239.shtml
From the Lancaster Eagle Gazette 11/9/09
BY JOE GIESSLER
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
LANCASTER — A county organization wants to toughen a law against parents caught hosting parties with underage drinking.
Toni Ashton, director of Prevention Works For Drug Free Fairfield County, said the current law allows parents to claim ignorance and get off the hook.
“We are focused on house parties where parents would have alcohol available to their children’s friends,” Ashton said. “If I send my child to a house for a party, I feel safer knowing that person knows not to give alcohol to my child.”
The current law prohibits any person from “knowingly” allowing underage drinking. Ashton wants the Lancaster City Council to change the law to read “negligently” instead of “knowingly.”
She said the change in the law would make it easier for police and prosecutors to pursue charges against parents who become hosts to such parties. The penalty for breaking the law would not change. It is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by about $1,000 and six months in jail.
Ashton will make a presentation to the Council during their meeting at 7 p.m. tonight.
“If a parent is in the upstairs bedroom, while underage consumption is going on downstairs, that adult could be charged with violating the law,” Ashton said. “Even if they said ‘I didn’t know,’ that’s an example of negligence.”
The alcohol prevention coalition sponsors the yearly “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” campaign to discourage social hosting.
Ashton said a similar law is working its way through the state legislature.
Lancaster Police Chief Dave Bailey supports the change in the city ordinance and believes it will help officers do their job.
“As it currently stands it is somewhat difficult for officers to prove the parents knew absolutely that underage drinking at the party was going on,” Bailey said. “Some parents have been looking the other way. This would take away the ability to look away and make them actively participate on the enforcement side of it.”
Bailey said it can be frustrating when officers are unable to prove the parents knowingly broke the law.
He said he hopes it raises awareness about the law, not just more arrests.
“I hope it will prevent underage drinking problems. The goal is to keep it from happening to begin with,” he said. “But it will be easier to file charges and get the parents to court.”
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20091109/NEWS01/911090302&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
Alcopops: Alcohol in Disguise
By · CommentsGet the Facts!
Alcopops are classified as beer in Ohio, even though they are an alcohol product that contains distilled spirits. This misclassification contributes to the underage drinking problem in Ohio.
FACT #1 − Alcopops are starter drinks for kids.
Everyday, more than 7,970 kids ages 12 to 17 take their first drink of alcohol.
Alcopops are sweet, fizzy drinks with bright & flashy packaging that appeal to youth.
Of the 8th graders that drink, 77% report they consume Alcopops, compared to only 30% of drinkers aged 25 – 30.2
Research shows teens are more likely than adults to recall brand names of Alcopops.
FACT #2 − Underage drinking is a serious problem.
Ohio ranks fourth in the nation in deaths, injuries and financial costs related to underage alcopop consumption.
21.1% of all alcohol sold in Ohio is consumed by underage drinkers.
In a survey of 18 to 24 year current drinkers who failed to complete high school, nearly 60% had begun to drink before age 16.6
Alcohol is the # 1 youth drug problem; it kills 6.5 times more people under 21 than all other illicit drugs combined .
FACT #3 − Reclassifying Alcopops Makes $ense.
Underage drinking cost Ohioans an estimated $2.9 billion in 2008.
More than 110 studies conclude that higher prices reduce underage drinking.
Beer is taxed at 18¢ per gallon, while mixed beverage taxes are $1.20 per gallon – a six times higher rate.
Ohio taxpayers lose approximately $4-5 million based on the misclassification of alcopops.
For more information, download this informational flier: CLICK HERE
Nominations for the Mary Good Humanitarian Service Award
By · CommentsThe Fairfield County Family and Children First Council created a tribute to Mary M. Good for her years of compassion and service to the community on behalf of children and families.
Mary M. Good was a teacher with the Lancaster City Schools, Christian educator at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, park leader with the United Way Summer Park program in Pleasantville, Peace School coordinator, social worker, scout leader, and so much more. Mary had a passion for children and the arts. Mary’s life was cut short in January of 2002, leaving a void in the Lancaster and Fairfield County community. It is hoped that this award will encourage and recognize others who share Mary M. Good’s zest for children, for life and for taking the “road less traveled”.
The Mary M. Good Humanitarian Service Award will go to someone who exemplifies Mary’s dedication to the cause of nurturing and protecting children and families by his/her day-in and day-out efforts in the Fairfield County community. This person can be a paid employee, a volunteer for an organization, an “everyday citizen,” or a combination of these characteristics. In whatever role, the winner will be someone who has regular, direct contact with children and families, and personifies the principles for which Mary stood. Sometimes such a person is described as “front-line” or “grass roots,” as opposed to being an administrator or executive or policy-maker. The nominee must be a Fairfield County resident.
The recipient will be someone
· who has demonstrated a commitment to achieving positive results for the children and families with whom he/she works by, for example, going the “extra mile” in providing service.
· who recognizes that service to families and children is not a “9-5” job, someone whose work blends with their daily life.
· who has persevered for the “long haul” to make a difference in the lives of people who live in Fairfield County. In other words, the Award will not be considered a “lifetime achievement” award going only to someone at or near the end of his/her career.
The Council recognizes that our community is blessed with many tireless workers who meet this description and who add, little by little, day by day, to the achievement of one of our community’s most important desired outcomes – better lives for children and families. The award judges are being asked to consider a group of “unsung heroes,” and somehow choose the most deserving “unsung hero”. Their task will be difficult.
Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 4 p.m. Click here to download the nomination form.
Updated Fairfield County Telelog Now Available
By · CommentsFairfield County Telelog update now available!
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