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.