In The News

Social Host Law A Worthy Goal
Originally printed in The Westerly Sun
Friday, June 05, 2009

Westerly Has A Chance To Take A Proactive Step against teen drinking and the negligence that too often allows it.

But the issue of a social host law is a sensitive one, and while there are those in town who may feel uncomfortable with the ordinance proposed to the Town Council by the Westerly Substance Abuse Task Force, we feel it is a worthy goal to pursue.

Some refining of the ordinance will be necessary as some councilors noted at the outset.

For instance, how exactly, should a host be defined? What is the appropriate punishment?

How is it determined - and should it be necessary to conclude - that a host has willingly allowed the party? How is one's property to be defined?

Town Councilors brought up some of these issues, including whether a renter or business owner is responsible for actions on their property. One of the biggest problems with the state law is that it doesn't appear to make a difference because prosecution hasn't worked.

This ordinance would need to be clearly applicable to the situations it seeks to fight.

Still, we support the WSATF's efforts to curb teen drinking. The problem of teen drinking is generations old, but that doesn't give society a right to throw in the towel and hope for the best. This kind of effort, while not a foolproof approach, is yet another weapon -and we think a powerful one -- in the fight to keep kids safe and help parents be parents.

And let's not forget that it is illegal for those under 21 to drink -- period.

This ordinance is rightly aimed at those parents who might be vying for "the coolest family award" by hosting a party that has the potential to get way out of hand. And the threat of a substantial fine might even help prop up those parents weak enough to consider a "kegger" for underage kids at their house. Although government has found that legislating morality doesn't usually work, the threat of penalty should lead at least some parents to consider their actions and be more vigilant than they might otherwise be.

The town should not and can not be a substitute for a teen's mom and dad. But if the problem doesn't go away, it's the town's responsibility to find the best way to proceed.

Those who haven't turned a blind eye to the situation recognize that Westerly, like other towns across the country, has a problem with underage drinking. There's even reason to believe that Westerly's problem is worse than average - the WSATF has publicized figures supporting this theory - and we have to agree that a well-crafted social host law could help fight the problem. A law with some teeth is not the only answer, but may help by poking holes in the callous attitudes held by many regarding alcohol and minors.

The WSATF is right to throw down this challenge to the community. We look forward to a constructive effort to create an ordinance that is up to that challenge, one that can accomplish its intent.