Stratford Community Services

SOCIAL HOST LAW - YOUR HOUSE, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

In 2006 Connecticut enacted its version of the “social host law.” This law imposes criminal liability on anyone who owns (or controls) private property and who knowingly allows minors to possess alcohol on their property. The purpose of the law is to curb “house parties.” Specifically, Connecticut’s social host law makes it illegal for anyone who possesses or controls private property, including a dwelling unit, to (1) knowingly permit a minor to illegally possess alcohol in the unit or on the property or (2) fail to make reasonable efforts to stop a minor from possessing alcohol in the unit or on the property when he knows the minor possesses alcohol illegally. The act makes a first offense an infraction and subsequent offenses subject to up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both. Furthermore, anyone who gives, sells, ships or delivers alcohol to a minor may be convicted of a felony, fined not more than $1500 and/or imprisoned up to 18 months. In addition to the criminal penalties, a violation of the social host law can be the basis for unlimited civil damages should an injury occur as a result of a violation of the statute. The only exception is that a minor may possess alcohol while they are accompanied by their parent, guardian, or spouse who is over the age of 21 years.

Partnerships For Success (PFS) Coalition

The Partnerships For Success (PFS) Coalition, a committee of the Stratford Youth and Family Advisory Board, is a youth-adult coalition working to reduce underage drinking by raising community awareness of the problems associated with underage drinking and limiting youth access to alcohol. The coalition brings together community leaders, school officials, police officers, parents and youth to send a clear, consistent message across the community that underage drinking is inappropriate, unacceptable and harmful.

Community Assessment and Stratford Strategic Plan

In 2006, Stratford was awarded a three-year Stratford Prevention Framework- State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) through the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to complete an underage drinking community assessment, support enforcement activities, and begin to engage youth and parents in the effort. In 2010, the Town of Stratford was awarded a 5-year grant, Partnerships For Success (PFS), to continue its momentum of underage drinking prevention. This initiative will strengthen continuing efforts to prevent and obtain quantifiable reductions in underage drinking among youth ages 12-20. Partnerships For Success goals are to:

Reduce % of youth ages 12-20 who reported they drank alcohol one or more days during the past 30 days.
Reduce % of youth ages 12-18 in funded communities who reported having alcohol during the past 30 days.
Increase the percentage of evidence-based practices statewide.
Increase the rate of readiness to address underage drinking of all Connecticut communities.

Stratford’s participation will sustain and continue lasting community change to create a universal community message that underage drinking is inappropriate, unacceptable and harmful to youth, family, and the community.

Youth and Parent Involvement

Young people and parents have had active roles as partners and resources to the grant. Currently, they are increasing community awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and liability issues associated with hosting parties where alcohol is present.

Enforcement of Laws, Policies and Retail Availability

Stepped-up enforcement by the Stratford Police Department of existing laws has been key to success of underage alcohol prevention activities. Officers conducted compliance checks of liquor outlets including bars and cafés using underage operatives. The outlets that sold to the underage operatives were referred to the State Liquor Commission. Officers also conducted surveillance of liquor outlets as well as visiting them to distribute signage and materials.

Stratford TIP Line

Citizens with information about parties or other gatherings involving underage drinking or have questions about municipal ordinances and state statutes regarding alcohol, contact the Stratford Police Department at (203) 385-4100.

Please click here for more information about Connecticut's Social Host Law.

2010 Town Hall Meeting- The Great Brain Drain

“Underage drinking- it’s not just our issue, it’s your issue. As young people, as adults, and as a community, we are all affected.”

-The Great Brain Drain, March 2010

Sponsored by the Stratford Youth and Family Advisory Board and HYPE (How Youth Positively Entertain), Stratford was among hundreds of communities nationwide to hold a Town Hall meeting to address underage drinking. The purpose of the Town Hall Meeting, The Great Brain Drain, was to alert the community to new research on the risks of underage drinking and its effects on the developing teen brain. This was also an opportunity to discuss ways to help youth avoid alcohol and learn how Stratford has been combating underage drinking.

HYPE (How Youth Positively Entertain) had important information to share following the successful Town Hall presentation The Great Brain Drain on March 26, 2010.

For more information on youth involvement activities, contact Denique Weidema at Stratford Community Services at 385-4095, e-mail DWeidema@townofstratford.com, or check out the HYPE Facebook page.

What's In Your Cup?

On Monday, December 20th HYPE revealed their teen drinking webisode series at Town Hall with some guest speakers to let residents know how the community is fighting underage drinking!

The teen 5-part webisode series, What’s In Your Cup? was developed to give parents and youth a visual representation of the social and legal consequences of hosting an underage drinking party and the pressure to fit in.

Click Here to watch the webisode!

For information about Connecticut data and initiatives, contact The Governor's Prevention Partnership.

For information about national data and initiatives, contact United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Online Documents
You can download these documents and print them on your local printer. Many of these documents are .pdf (Portable Document Format) files requiring the use of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader © Click here for more information.

Party Guidelines help parents keep their children safe when they host or attend parties.
Tips for Parents offers pointers to prevent underage drinking.
Parents Who Host Lose the Most. Don’t be a party to teenage drinking. It’s against the law.
Search Institute Survey, February 2008

PFS Meeting Notes