Our last article provided an introduction to social hosting and underage drinking. It is not uncommon that children and adolescents are drinking – they report doing so in multiple surveys. Alcohol is the number one substance of abuse by young people. Youth see a large number of alcohol ads during football bowl games and sporting events. Monitoring their exposure to alcohol advertising and alcohol availability in the home is important because most kids are drinking at home or at a friend's house.

Social host liability laws prohibit furnishing alcoholic beverages to underage persons and target the location in which underage drinking takes place. Social host liability laws hold non-commercial individuals responsible for underage drinking events on property they own, lease, or otherwise control. Not allowing your kids to drink and ensuring that their friends parents do likewise makes you a strong advocate against underage drinking.

In Ohio, legislation has been introduced to strengthen liability for social hosting. The passage of such a measure will strengthen efforts to deter and delay youth access to alcohol. This legislation is needed because pre-teen and teen exposure to alcohol has both immediate and long-term consequences.  According to the Coalition's 2008 Student Drug Use Survey, over 80% of all drinking occurs in a private residence - either at home or at a friend's house.  Increasing awareness through campaigns such as the "Parents Who Host" campaign are important steps towards creating parent and adult attitudes that underage drinking is unacceptable and strengthening social host liability laws encourages adults to create an alcohol-free environment for all teens.

What can you do? 

• Watch this video to learn more. 
• Write your state representatives and senators and tell them you support strengthening social host laws in your state
• Get involved in your local coalition and become a strong advocate for this environmental prevention effort.