Your kid’s life ends in a car accident. You learn the law after you are prosecuted for violating a social host ordinance. Welcome to what could be you and your teen’s prom and graduation night.
But what five teens from the East County Youth Coalition did was promote having a safe and sober prom and grad season at Parkway Plaza Mall on May 21 by dressing up in prom attire and handing out pamphlets and talking to shoppers.
Your kid’s life ends in a car accident. You learn the law after you are prosecuted for violating a social host ordinance. Welcome to what could be you and your teen’s prom and graduation night.
But what five teens from the East County Youth Coalition did was promote having a safe and sober prom and grad season at Parkway Plaza Mall on May 21 by dressing up in prom attire and handing out pamphlets and talking to shoppers.
Bethany Mudge, 17-year-old from Monte Vista High School, explained that snap chat is used to alert other teens where the parties are. Snapchat is ideal for flashing the party details and “addy,” or party address as she says, and then having the message disappear. Social media is the new calling card for party invitations. A beer emoji (picture letter), pill emoji, and special cigarette emoji will relay what will be at the party.
Monte Vista senior, Eric Lagasse, said he already knows of many parties and their prom is June 6 at Paradise Point Resort. The party invites on social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat) will be the same for graduation night.
Joyce Moore, project manager for the East County Community Change Project, offered these tips for safe parties at homes:
* Control access—keep minors away from alcohol.
* Control quantity—keep track of what you buy.
* Verify age—it is your responsibility to know how old your guests are.
* Supervise—as the host you are responsible for supervising minors.
Additionally Moore presented information that highlighted the social host ordinance which is a law that carries fines of up $1,000, 32 hours of community service, six months in jail, and cost recovery of responders. Additionally the project stated house parties as the primary source from which minors obtain alcohol.
Jeff Stinchcomb with the Institute for Public Strategies emphasized that parents can control the danger at house parties by adhering to the above stated principles. Spring break and summer are also a hazardous time for teens as well Stinchcomb added.
Mt. Miguel teen Armando Minjarez stated he knows of teens killed by drunk driving related deaths.
Selfies and cell phone videos let out some of those house party “secrets” even if no one was reported to the County of San Diego Sheriff.
The East County Youth Coalition emphasized to parents by promoting a safe prom and graduation memories by observing the social host ordinances.
