The Berrien County Alcohol Taskforce (BCAT) invites the parents of Berrien County youth to join thousands of Americans across the country who are concerned about underage drinking to participate in “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most:  Don’t be a Party to Teenage Drinking” public awareness campaign.

In April, as part of Alcohol Awareness Month, BCAT is providing information to parents who are hosting or planning to host a prom or graduation party in their child’s honor. Hosting a party where alcohol is available for teens is a big mistake, BCAT says. Underage drinking parties are a health and safety problem with serious legal ramifications.

The BCAT has presented the following facts:

• Parents who give alcohol to their teen’s friends under any circumstances, even in their own homes, are breaking the law. They can face a minimum sentence of three months in jail and/or a minimum $500 fine.

• Parents who knowingly allow a person under 21 to remain in their home or on their property while consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages can be prosecuted and everything associated with such a violation can be confiscated, including personal property.

• Parents can be sued if they give alcohol to anyone under 21 and they in turn hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.

“Parents can protect themselves and their teens by hosting safe, alcohol-free parties for youth during prom and graduation season,” said Lisa Peeples-Hurst, BCAT coordinator and certified prevention specialist at the Berrien County Health Department. “All of us have the opportunity and responsibility to help Berrien County youth reach their full potential. As a parent, do your part to make this prom and graduation season safe for everybody.”

Alcohol Awareness Month, observed by communities throughout the United States, is a national grassroots effort to support research, education, intervention and treatment for alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. Sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1987, Alcohol Awareness Month offers organizations with different missions an opportunity to work together to raise awareness about the negative consequences of underage drinking.

The Berrien County Alcohol Taskforce (BCAT) is a concerned community group working together to change the environment surrounding alcohol-related issues. One of the goals of the BCAT is to increase community awareness of alcohol penalties. Stop by TalkSooner.org and click on the “Berrien County” link for more information.

For more information about this activity, other Alcohol Awareness Month activities in Berrien County or the BCAT, contact Lisa Peeples-Hurst at (269) 927-5690 or lpeepleshurst@bchdmi.org.

For more information about Michigan’s efforts to reduce underage call Prevention Network at (800) 968-4968 or miket@preventionnetwork.org.