Just Say No: Local Laws Enforce Prohibition Of Underage Drinking

Remember the days of hanging out at home with your friends as mom and dad supervised a house party, replete with, dare we say it, alcohol. Well, it seems like those days are OVER.

In fact, some local towns, most recently the Village of Amityville have passed a measure forbidding and banning underage drinking on private property.

In fact, the new law makes it a crime for adults, not just parents, to serve alcohol to non-relatives who are underage and who are at their home. And, this latest law, aimed at breaking bad habits early on, is modeled after a similar measure passes in the City of Long Beach last August. And, the upstate communities of Gloversville and Carmel have also implemented similar statutes.

The Amityville bill was passed unanimously by the board and filed with the New York Department of State.

The measure prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21 at social events on private property. And, similarly to the Long Beach bill, the measure carries with it a penalty of up to 15 days in prison and a fine up to $250 if violated.

But, they add, this is not meant as a means to police parents who, under their jurisdiction and supervision serve a glass of wine or beer at dinner, but rather to curb recurring problems that prevail at parties, and situations where the adults may be responsible for other people’s kids.

Also, while officials make it clear that there were no specific problems within the village that needed to be immediately addressed, the measure comes as a response to statistics suggesting that 4,000 young adults statewide fall victim to alcohol-related incidents each year.