With support from the OJJDP
Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Initiative, community organizations,
enforcement agencies, youth, and other concerned citizens are working
collaboratively to change local ordinances and enforcement practices.
Glastonbury, CT Citizens Group Works to Strengthen
Ordinances
and
Enforcement Strategies Regarding Underage Drinking Parties
The Glastonbury (CT) Alcohol and Drug Council (GLAD) is comprised of
parents, youth, community agency staff, law enforcement, school staff, and
other concerned citizens working to implement prevention efforts in the
community. One of GLAD?s pressing concerns is underage drinking at
parties. Underage drinking has been a factor in many of the town?s worst
tragedies, including a double homicide at a house party in 1998.
In an effort both to prevent underage drinking parties and to increase
enforcement options, GLAD and its Regional Action Council took a critical
look at CT state law and Glastonbury?s local ordinances. The group found
that neither state law nor local statutes allowed any legal action to be
taken against youth under 21 years of age who are in possession of alcohol
or under the influence of alcohol when on private property. Therefore,
underage drinkers could be arrested for possessing alcohol on public
property or in a public place, but their peers drinking a few feet away
from them on private land could legally drink.
To remedy this gap in existing laws, GLAD proposed an amendment to the
Glastonbury Code of Ordinance specifically addressing the issue of youth
under 21 years of age and alcohol on private property. After unanimous
approval by the town council, the result of GLAD?s effort is a new
ordinance that allows police to issue $100 tickets to anyone under 21
found in possession of alcohol anywhere in Glastonbury. Fines could also
be levied against the adult hosts of these parties. These tickets are
similar to traffic tickets and do not require court appearances. GLAD
works to encourage parents and other adults to talk with youth about this
ordinance and its consequences. To further emphasize the town?s stance
on the issue, the Glastonbury Police Chief sends a letter to parents of
youth found in attendance at underage drinking parties.
GLAD also works with the CT Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking to
encourage and assist other towns to change local ordinances to better
address underage alcohol use. By promoting Glastonbury?s success, the
Coalition is generating interest and action from other communities to
improve their enforcement of underage drinking laws.
For more information, contact Geralyn Laut of GLAD at
860-659-8431
or
the CT Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking at 1-800-422-5422, ext. 15.