Recovery Support Resources
Underage Drinking: The Facts
- It is illegal to give alcohol to your teen’s underage friends under any circumstances – even in your own home, even with their parents’ permission.
- You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to consume or possess alcohol in your home or on your property.
What can happen if you break the law
- You face a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and $1,075 in fines and fees.
- Your penalties can “stack up,” as you can be ticketed for each underage person you provide with alcohol.
- You can be sued if you give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.
What you can do to protect yourself
- Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21
- Be at home when your teen has friends over
- Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or property by your teen’s friends
- Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending
- Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so teens feel welcome
- Report underage drinking to local law enforcement
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