Mission Statement:Cobb Community Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse (CCAPSA) creates strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations to promote health and wellness within the Cobb County community by preventing the onset of substance abuse.

CCAPSA accomplishes it’s mission through evidenced based enforcement, policy and education initiatives to:1. Limit access to substances of abuse2. Decrease the ease, ability, and opportunity for youth access to

alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD)3. Change the culture and context within which decisions about

substance use are made4. Align laws, ordinances and policies with best practices proven to

reduce substance abuse. 5. Provide educational programs, workshops, printed material, and

social media communications to educate the community on the impact substance abuse has on our youth and our community

Enforcement Policy

Education Youth

Social Host/Teen Party Ordinance

What is a Social Host/Teen Party Ordinance?

(1) Targets gatherings where alcohol, wine, or beer are in the possession of or have been furnished to persons under the age of 21.

(2) It holds accountable the individual(s) in legal and actual control of a location where a gathering occurs. • If they knew or reasonably should have known about the party or

gathering.• If they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent alcohol

possession or consumption by underage persons.

(3) Provides a mechanism to reimburse law enforcement agencies for costs associated with party disbursement.

Why is an Ordinance Needed?

Biological consequences of youth alcohol use • alcohol poisoning• brain damage • chronic alcohol addiction

Behavioral consequences of youth alcohol use • traffic crashes • property damage and theft • community disturbance • risky sexual behavior and sexual assault • homicide and suicide• accidental injuries due to falls or poor judgment Hosting at home doesn’t change the facts or lessen the dangers. Underage drinking is a major public health issue and cause for concern.

http://www.madd.org/underage-drinking/the-power-of-parents/high-school-parents/social-host/

Why is an Ordinance Needed?In Cobb County:

• Retail outlet compliance with laws against selling alcohol to minors has improved from 45% in the year 2000 to 92% in 2014

• Cobb County students report binge drinking at a friend’s house on the weekend more than any other students in the state.

• Private parties have repeatedly been identified as the primary source by which minors obtain alcohol.

• The current state law prohibiting the furnishing of alcohol to minors does not sufficiently address the problem of youth access to alcohol in homes.

WHERE ARE THE GAPS IN THE LAW?Don’t current Georgia state statutes and laws address this problem?

No, there is a large gap in the current state laws that do not address the situation of a parent or supervising adult knowing, or even allowing, a party of minors who have

access to and consume alcohol.

Offense:“Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor” (O.C.G.A 16-12-1)

Gaps:1. The statute creates no liability if, for example, a parent/adult simply

knows or reasonably should know that there house is going to be used by a group of minors to have a party and drink alcohol.

2. A “minor” is defined in this statute as anyone under the age of 17. If the individuals drinking are between the ages of 17 and 21, there is no criminal liability in this statute.

WHERE ARE THE GAPS IN THE LAW?

Offense:Furnishing Alcoholic Beverages to a Minor” (O.C.G.A. 3-3-23)

Gap:1. As long as the parent or adult does not directly furnish or cause to be furnished any alcohol to minors. They have no liability for minors drinking in their home even if they know it is happening.

Offense:“Maintaining a Disorderly House” (O.C.G.A. 16-11-44)

1. The statute does not apply if there is only an occasional alcohol party at the house.

Under the current laws, the parent or adult have no responsibility to prevent minors other than their own children from drinking alcohol in their home and may even allow the drinking parties as long as they do not purchase the alcohol and do not get involved in organizing the party. They can do so with no potential liability or responsibility.

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Current Jurisdictions with Social Host/Teen Party Ordinances

State Wide Laws:35 states (including all states contiguous to Georgia) have passed social host/teen party ordinances.

The following Cobb jurisdictions have acted to protect their communities and fill the gaps in current Georgia Law by passing social host ordinances– City of Austell– City of Kennesaw– City of Acworth– Unincorporated Cobb County

Cobb communities are passing Social Host Ordinances to fill the gaps in the present laws.

JOIN WITH CCAPSA TO ADVOCATE FOR PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF MARIETTA.

QUESTIONS?