The 2012 high school prom and graduation season are upon us. Although the Coalition
is working hard to impress upon teens the fact that the majority of them in the
Birmingham and Bloomfield area make good choices and do not drink, prom and
graduation celebrations can provide temptations that could produce tragic results.
Therefore, during this celebratory time, we are asking for your continued help in
preventing teenage drinking. Often parents have the best of intentions when hosting a
party in their child's honor, but hosting a party where alcohol is available for teens is a
big mistake. Underage drinking parties are a health and safety problem with serious
legal consequences.
We want to share the following important information on the laws regarding
hosting parties and serving alcohol, to help make your prom or graduation parties as
safe as possible:
Alcohol consumed or possessed by person under the age of 21 years is against the law.
It is against the law to furnish alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 years, or knowingly
allow the consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor.
The parent or other person who knowingly allows or furnishes alcohol or illegal drugs
at their home, a rented room, a limousine or any other location where young people
under the age of 21 years congregate, is guilty of breaking the law and may be convicted
of a misdemeanor.
If you (the parent/guardian) or your son or daughter is convicted of a misdemeanor, you
may be sentenced up to 93 days in jail, fined up to $1,000 and you will have a criminal
record.
