PROM TALK
Sgt. Steve Hoover describes a November 2000 accident at Laurel Rd. and S. Carpenter that was caused by drunk driving and changed the lives of three people. The most seriously injured victim, Ronald Weinmann, addresses the students of Brunswick High School in May of 2011 and describes his experience and the aftermath.
CHANNEL 19 STORY: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND DRINKING
PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST
Prom and graduation are here, which means many local high school students will be celebrating…
…but alcohol doesn't have to be a part of the fun, and that's why the Medina County Safe Communities Law Enforcement Coalition has declared June “Parents Who Host Lose the Most" month.
"Parents Who Host Lose the Most” is a campaign where we inform the public about the dangers of purchasing and providing alcohol to minors," says Lieutenant Brian Ohlin of the Brunswick Division of Police.
All the Safe Communities cities, villages and townships across Medina County are participating in the campaign, to make sure parents know it's not okay to let kids drink in their homes.
Safe Communities Director Officer Jerry Klue adds, "If you're telling them it's okay to do it in their home, in a way, they're getting the message that it's okay to do it anywhere else as well."
Officer Klue added that underage drinking anywhere can lead to problems later in life.
"If they can wait until age 21, they actually reduce their chances of having issues with alcohol use as an adult not to mention the risky behavior that is related to alcohol consumption as a high school student.”
Lt .Brian Ohlin adds, "That's just one of the reasons that we don't have laws permitting alcohol consumption at 18, we want them to wait until they're 21 because this will allow them to develop a better and healthier adult mindset."
But parents should also know they'll be held responsible for anything that happens at or after the party.
"There can be civil liability and criminal action for themselves if they provide alcohol for anyone underage and then that underage person leaves the house, gets into a vehicle and causes a fatal crash” says Chief Carl DeForest of the Brunswick Division of Police.
And with life itself at stake, it's clear that parents who host “WILL” lose the most.
If you're a parent who may be hosting a drinking party, or have a child attending a drinking party, you can find additional information at the Ohio Traffic Safety Office web site http://ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov and www.medinasafecommunities.org.
