They call it the 100 most dangerous days.
‘They’ are national experts on teenagers, and they’re talking about the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but more specifically about the teenagers who are heading to prom and graduating from high school in the coming weeks.
With the designation, there is a national campaign to keep young adults safe, when it comes to texting and driving, drinking and driving, drinking heavily, etc.
That said, with prom season already underway, Orange County officials are reminding residents to be aware of the county’s Social Host Law and to know that there are consequences for breaking the law.
“This is a time for celebration, not recklessness. Parents should be aware that they can face serious consequences by allowing underage drinking at their home,” County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in a press release this week. “We will not tolerate behavior that endangers the residents of Orange County.”
Neuhaus signed legislation in March of 2016 to enact a Social Host Law, which is aimed at deterring the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors by holding anyone 18 years of age or older responsible when they permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors on premises. Under the Social Host Law, it is illegal for homeowners or any host 18 years or older to knowingly allow underage drinking at their home or a party, or to not take action to stop underage drinking after they are made aware of it.
He continues to work with District Attorney David Hoovler and Sheriff Carl DuBois on the issue.
“As parents, we owe it to our children to keep them out of harm’s way and, for that reason, my office takes enforcement of the Social Host Law very seriously,” Hoovler said. “Each spring, many children participate in graduations, proms, and school formals. These events should be celebrations for children and their friends and families. Unfortunately, these same events can be marred by tragedy when someone underage consumes alcohol resulting in motor vehicle crashes and other incidents. Orange County’s Social Host Law is designed to keep children safe from underage drinking and its potential dangers.”
The county has teamed with the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) of Orange County to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking.
Last Tuesday evening, ADAC’s Lauren Savino and MaryAlice Presto were at the Highland Falls Intermediate School for a ‘Parent University’ session they’ve developed, called ‘Parents Who Host Lose the Most’.
There were two sessions, but unfortunately, a total of just four parents showed up. But, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Sheboy was there for both presentations, and says the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District will continue to be at workshops such as this one to provide information on this topic and others to parents — “no matter how many parents show up”.
Presto and Savino weren’t put off by the low attendance either.
“A lot of parents think ‘well, if I provide alcohol, and they drink it here, they won’t do pills or drugs’,” Presto said. “And believe me, the kids know which parents provide alcohol.”
The penalties start as a violation, then moves up to misdemeanor and felony crimes. Since Orange County’s law was enacted, there have been over two dozen investigations and five arrests and convictions.
She reminded parents that even if they choose to let their own child drink alcohol, no one else can.
“Even if they have your permission, someone is breaking the law if they give your child alcohol,” she said.
Why shouldn’t teenagers drink at all?
Presto said there are dangers of teenagers drinking beyond drinking and driving — young adults don’t have the brain development to process the fact that they are drinking too much, and can end up seriously ill. They can also be recorded ‘by friends’ while acting inappropriately while drunk. They indulge in risky behaviors. They can become alcoholics — “according to the CDC, you are seven times more likely to have trouble with alcohol as you get older if you start drinking before age 15,” Savino said.
The two also encouraged parents to not only tell their children not to drink, but to “model good behavior” in front of them.
“Alcohol has really become such an ingrained part of our culture,” Presto said. “Twenty years ago your wouldn’t go to a baby shower or first communion party and expect drinking. Kids these days really see a mixed message.”
