Beech Tree News Network

Most people know the purchase or possession of alcohol by young people is illegal in the U.S. until age 21.  However, you may not be aware that many Kentucky communities are cracking down on underage drinking with Social Host Ordinances.  A Social Host Ordinance holds adults (social hosts) responsible for underage drinking events on property they own, lease or otherwise control. 
Alcohol remains the most widely abused substance among young people in Kentucky, costing its citizens $648.2 million in 2013, according to a report by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE). These costs include medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth.  This translates to a cost of $1,625 per year for each youth in the state. Butler County, according to the 2013 U.S. Census, accounts for only a very small percent of our state’s population (0.29%).  Still, based on this population data, underage drinking cost the citizens of Butler County $1.89 million in 2013. PIRE, March 2015
According to Kentucky Statute KRS 244.085 (3):  "A person under 21 years of age shall not possess for his or her own use or purchase or attempt to purchase or have another purchase for him or her any alcoholic beverages.  No person shall aid or assist any person under 21 years of age in purchasing or having delivered or served to him or her any alcoholic beverage.”  Nevertheless, in 2016, 1 in 5 (19.4%) Kentucky 10th graders reported consuming alcohol in the last 30-days; and 1 in 10 (10.4%) of these students reported binge drinking (5+ drinks in a row in the last two weeks). KIP Survey, 2016

So how, if underage drinking is illegal and it is illegal to sell or provide alcohol to a minor, are so many young people in Butler County and across Kentucky gaining access to alcohol?  In 2016, more than half (51.5%) of Kentucky 10th grade youth said that alcohol is easy get; and reported if they drank alcohol, they primarily got the alcohol through social sources, including friends, parents, and other adults. KIP Survey, 2016
Many well-intended parents believe they are keeping their kids and their kid’s young friends safe by taking away the keys and allowing youth to drink at home.  However, the truth is, there is no way to guarantee a safe environment when alcohol is involved. 

Taking away the keys does not take away the risks. 

•   Death -- 4,300 youth in the U.S. die every year from alcohol-related incidents. CDC, 2006-2013

•   Brain Development -- Alcohol is particularly damaging to the brain which continues to develop into the early to mid 20s. National Institute of Health, 2013

•    Alcohol Dependence -- Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than people who begin drinking at age 21. Grant, B.F., & Dawson, 1997

•    Memory Loss -- Approximately 1 in 9 (11.6%) Kentucky 10th graders have reported blacking out as result of their drinking or drug use. KIP Survey, 2016

•   Binge Drinking -- Adolescents who obtained alcohol at a party from a parent reported consuming more drinks and were twice as likely to report past 30-day alcohol use and binge drinking. Foley, 2014

By enacting a Social Host Ordinance, 29  KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES have taken a public stand that underage drinking and adults hosting underage drinking parties (social hosting) will not be tolerated.
Social Host Benefits:
1.    Serves as a deterrent to hosting
2.    Gives another tool to law enforcement to hold responsible parties accountable without having to witness an adult providing to a minor
3.    Recognizes disproportionate expenditures of the public safety resources are spent on party dispersal thereby delaying police response to regular and emergency calls
4.    Recovers costs associated with use of law enforcement, fire, and other emergency response services
5.    Sends a clear message that providing a venue for underage drinking is not acceptable
The science is clear about young people and alcohol.  Adult-supervised drinking by youth does not inhibit alcohol use or misuse.  Parents adopting a zero-tolerance standard can reduce harmful alcohol use among their youth. 

“For teens, alcohol is an illegal and dangerous drug.  Don’t be a party to underage drinking.”
Learn more at www.kyprevention.com/projects/social-host/.

 Information provided by Butler County Drug Free