Underage drinking is not a harmless rite of passage. It is illegal and dangerous. The New Tradition Coalition of Lawrence works with local law enforcement and city officials to determine how laws can be more successfully enforced to protect our kids and punish those who allow underage drinking. Effective law enforcement is a proven strategy to reduce underage drinking.
Social host ordinances are a powerful law enforcement tool that allows officers to crack down on parties and gatherings where alcohol is served to minors. They hold a person (of any age) who allows underage drinking to occur, to be held criminally liable. In addition, fines collected help to offset law enforcement and prosecution expenses.
In May 2009, a subcommittee of the coalition including individuals from legal, law enforcement, and substance abuse prevention was formed to address the update for the Lawrence social hosting law. They took looked at how they could strengthen the Kansas law to better enforce underage drinking in Lawrence. The goal was to create and sustain a broad legal commitment to reduce underage drinking by strengthening our local social hosting ordinance and to have a common understanding of the law by all agencies involved.
The group recognized that underage drinking is a significant problem in Lawrence. As a college town, we have an extraordinary number of youth at risk. An updated social hosting ordinance was taken to the City Commissioners and it was adopted, unanimously. Our key leaders chose to support prevention efforts that are designed to reduce youth access, provide education on the issue and support effective policies to reduce the use of alcohol by youth. This is key to changing community norms and making long-lasting change.
Lawrence Social Hosting Law
So what time does your child have to be home, according to the law? Check it out!
Lawrence Curfew Law
What is the policy for drug and alcohol use at my student's school?
Click below to inform yourself and your child:
Drug and alcohol policy at Lawrence Schools