Underage Drinking

Posted: March 27th, 2008

Underage drinking is a problem throughout Marin County.  A 2005 County of Marin survey showed that rates of underage drinking and binge drinking in Marin currently surpass state and national averages.  The survey of 3,000 students from 11 Marin County high schools found that 75% of teenagers who drink alcohol do so at private house parties and other social gatherings.

Underage drinking at social gatherings on private property can lead to loud and unruly parties and problems such as excessive noise, vandalism, alcohol poisoning, and driving while intoxicated.  Sometimes teenagers host parties when their parents are out of town; these parties can quickly become out of control as uninvited guests crash the party.  Other times, parents either permit alcohol at house parties or do not provide enough supervision to ensure teenagers are not drinking.  On March 13, 2008, the Ross Town Council passed Ordinance No. 607 prohibiting loud or unruly gatherings where alcohol is served to, consumed by, or in possession of underage persons on private property.  This law takes effect on April 12, 2008, and provides for civil penalties beginning at $750 for the first offense and the recovery of costs associated with the response to the party or event by safety personnel.  Both juveniles and parents will be held jointly and severally liable for payment of the penalties.

Parents of teenagers are strongly encouraged to discuss the problem of teen alcohol use with their children and establish clear behavioral limits for times when teens are home alone and when they visit their friends.  To learn more about teenage parties and protecting your children from alcohol abuse, read the Marin County Office of Education’s A Parent’s Guide to Teenage Parties and Dances or visit the Youth Leadership Institute at http://www.yli.org/. 

To view Ordinance No. 607, click here.

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