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.
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Communities in
Several communities in
Looking into the laws affecting their community, advocates realized that law enforcement was hesitant to enforce the existing state “parental responsibility” statute, which deals with ‘crimes’ and allowed property seizure. The advocates’ response was to develop a city ordinance mirroring the State law. The ordinance is not as severe, so law enforcement personnel are more comfortable enforcing it.
Janet Jones with the Yamhill County Prevention Program says, “the issue is not about punishing parents, or even about passing an ordinance. This is saying aloud that underage and abusive drinking have hurt too many of our youth, affected too many families, and that these communities are passionate enough to take a stand to change the norms that encourage it.”
The new ordinance stipulates that parents will be fined if a child younger than age 18 commits an act that brings him under the jurisdiction of the court or violates the city curfew, or if the parent fails to take reasonable steps to prevent a gathering of those under 21 at which alcohol or other illegal substances are available. Violators may be fined up to $1,000 and up to $2,500 for damages and restitution to the court. They may also be ordered to undergo parental effectiveness education. However, parents are not liable if they are victims of any perpetrated act the minors may commit, or if they alert authorities to activities covered by the ordinance.
The ordinance is part of an overall strategy that includes community awareness, effective education programs, attractive alcohol- and other drug-free recreation, and expanded resources and referral for services, says Janet Jones. According to Jones, “the community coalitions have built a comprehensive approach to reducing the problem of underage drinking which city leaders support.”
For more information, contact Janet Jones
by telephone at 503-434-7378×2 or by email [email protected] .