REDUCING OTTAWA AREA DRUNK DRIVING TASKFORCE (ROADD)

ROADD is a subcommittee of the OSAP Coalition. Our mission is to address the harm due to high-risk alcohol use and impaired driving. We do this through addressing youth access to alcohol, impaired driving, and high-risk drinking by young adults. ROADD includes membership from our local universities, Arbor Circle, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, and most local law enforcement agencies in Ottawa County. ROADD meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month and rotates locations.

SAFE PARTIES

Our Safe Parties initiative helps parents and young adults with ideas and tips for how to prevent underage drinking and reduce risk and liability when hosting a party.

Did you know that you can be legally held responsible if minors are caught drinking alcohol on your property, regardless of who provided the alcohol? The law assumes that if you own or otherwise control the property, you knew or should have known that minors were drinking on that property. Depending on the investigation, this can include youth drinking at your house or apartment even if you are not home.

A social gathering isn’t always a large party – in fact, it can be as few as two people!

Learn more about the law Safe parties for parents Safe parties for young adults

PARENTS: Prevent underage drinking

Be aware of factors that may signal a teen’s desire to experiment:

  • Significant changes in personality
  • Challenges coping with stress or mental health
  • Family history of alcoholism
  • Significant changes in friends
  • Being secretive
  • Activities/social transitions that may involve alcohol

Provide supervision when youth are at your house:

  • Make sure youth know your expectations ahead of time.
  • Make your presence known. Walk through the area where youth are gathered and interact with all of them.
  • Monitor what is being brough into your home and check contents of soda bottles/glasses, and packages carried in by guests.
  • Require an RSVP from parents before hosting youth at your home to be sure they know expectations, details, pick up times, exchange contact information, etc.
  • Make expectations and consequences clear to all guests: no alcohol will be provided to minors and police will be contacted if minors are found to be in possession of alcohol.

young adults: ways to host a safe party

Know the law:

  • Your place, your responsibility.
  • Know your guests. Are they 21 or older? Do not supply alcohol to minors. 21+ is the legal drinking age.
  • Giving alcohol to a minor may result in 30 days of jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Recognize safety risks:

  • Blacking out isn’t normal.
  • Getting sick is the first sign of alcohol poisoning.

What you need to do:

  • Keep it small—alcohol serving size and amount matter.
  • Have a sober driver or call for a sober driver (taxi!)
  • Slow down—one per hour. You have all night.
  • Stay with friends.
  • Don’t advertise your party. Say NO to strangers in your house.
  • Don’t allow drugs. It’s okay to cut people off and say NO to using.
  • Don’t let people inside if you want the party outside.