INFORMATION ON SOCIAL HOST LAW ~ Reducing Underage Drinking
Underage alcohol use is a serious issue impacting communities across New York State.
Adults play a role when they sell or serve alcohol to youth under the age of 21, when they host parties
where young people are drinking, and when they condone underage alcohol use. Every community,
neighborhood and family should be concerned about alcohol use by youth under 21 because it is
associated with the three most common causes of teenage deaths: accidental deaths, homicides and
suicides as reported in the 2003 National Survey of Parents. In addition, the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration reports that higher levels of alcohol use are associated with
unplanned or unprotected sexual activity among adolescents, posing increased risk for teen pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Alcohol use and higher levels of use among
adolescents is associated with poor grades, absenteeism and higher school drop-out rates.
One strategy being considered by many communities in New York State combat underage drinking is
to limit access to alcohol by putting in place a Social Host Ordinance.
| WHAT IS A COMMUNITY SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE? The ordinance is a law that will hold anyone 16 years of age and older, accountable for allowing alcohol to be served to minors on their premises. |
| WHAT DOES THIS LAW DO? This law makes it a violation to allow alcohol to be served to the underage drinkers on the premises. It is a violation – just like a ticket with a fine of up to $250 and/or combined with a stay of up to 15 days in jail. In some communities it is a misdemeanor. |
ARE THERE MANY COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE WITH A SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE IN PLACE? At present, there are 29 communities and 13 counties in New York State that have adopted a Social Host Ordinance with Little Falls being the first municipality in Herkimer County to vote the Ordinance in place on August 7, 2007. |
If you would like to learn more about Social Hosting and what you or your community can do to
support this statewide effort to protect our young people from the dangers and risk associated
with alcohol, please call the Prevention Council at 315-894-8080 to schedule a free presentation.
support this statewide effort to protect our young people from the dangers and risk associated
with alcohol, please call the Prevention Council at 315-894-8080 to schedule a free presentation.
| Underage drinking is the NUMBER ONE lethal drug in New York State. It is NOT a minor problem! |
| WHAT IS SOCIAL HOSTING? Social hosting is providing and/or serving alcohol to a young person who is under the minimum drinking age of 21. It can take place in a party-like setting or by any adult simply providing alcohol to teenagers and their peers for them to drink. It can even extend to parents and homeowners who are not on the premises and/or did not provide the alcohol. |
