Get used to seeing the words “Parents who host lose the most.”
Every community and school district in Waupaca County will soon have banners, yard signs, stickers, window decals and educational materials that say, “Parents Who Host Lose the Most: Don’t Be a Party to Underage Drinking.”
It is a nationwide campaign to inform adults about the legal and health-related risks in hosting underage drinking parties.
As part of the campaign, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will be providing information about the dangers of underage drinking, the legal consequences of hosting underage drinking in ones home and how parents and other family members can host safe and fun alcohol free events for youth.
Parents Who Host Lose the Most is a community effort to educate parents about the consequences of purchasing, providing or pouring alcohol for anyone under age 21.
Some people think underage drinking is harmless or acceptable if parents take cars keys away from youth.
Every year, teens die from alcohol poisoning or alcohol-related poisonings and drownings that occur after adults provide alcohol to youth.
Waupaca High School’s junior prom will be held Saturday, March 31. It will be the first of many proms being held this spring in the county.
Many high schools, including WHS, host post-prom parties.
In addition, a small group of parents of WHS students has formed the Positive Parental Support Group of Waupaca.
This group asked Police Liaison Officer Bret Rodenz and student members from SADD to join it for a discussion about drugs and alcohol.
The discussion will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, in Meeting Room B, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.
Local police departments take underage drinking and the adults who sell or serve alcohol to youth seriously.
Individuals who purchase, provide or pour alcohol for anyone under age 21 are breaking the law and will be charged under state or municipal law.
In addition to the planned public information effort, local police departments will be conducting alcohol age compliance checks in the area to confirm that local vendors comply with laws prohibiting the sales of alcohol to anyone under age 21.
“Underage drinking is illegal, has long-term health consequences and is a factor in the leading causes of death among youth.” said Connie Abert, Waupaca County UW-Extension youth development educator. “We want this to be a happy prom and commencement season; underage drinking isn’t part of that picture.”
This project is a joint effort of the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Alcohol and other Drug Education Network, Wisconsin Department of Health Service and the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources, a department of University Health Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison.