Belleville Area Cares Coalition (BACC) Asks You to Help Stop Illegal Underage Drinking at Springtime Events

Springtime brings lots of opportunities for youth and adults to celebrate the accomplishments of the past school year; blow off pent-up energy from the long Wisconsin winter and generally have fun.  This year, Belleville looks to avoid the tragic alcohol related teen deaths that have marred so many past Wisconsin proms and graduations.
The Belleville Area Cares Coalition, together with the Belleville Police Department, wants to remind everyone that Parents Who Host Lose the Most: Don’t Be a Party to Teenage Drinking.  The coalition is working with police and community groups to provide parents with accurate information about the health risks of underage drinking and ­­the legal consequences of providing alcohol to youth.  The campaign encourages parents and other responsible adults to clearly and directly remind family members and close friends that allowing teenage alcohol consumption is illegal and unacceptable.
With few exceptions, it is illegal, unsafe, and unhealthy for anyone under age 21 to drink alcohol. Allowing underage youth to drink alcohol in your home endangers everyone’s children.  It is illegal to purchase, pour or provide alcohol for anyone under age 21 who isn’t your child or spouse.  Other parents can’t provide “permission” for you to serve their kids alcohol. 
Adults who think taking car keys away when providing alcohol to youth are placing both the youth and their financial future in jeopardy.  Alcohol related drowning, falls and suicides kill hundreds of teens each year.  And most homeowners insurance policies don’t extend liability coverage for illegal activities. If you purchase, pour or provide alcohol for youth; you put your financial future at risk.
Parents can protect themselves and their teens by following these simple guidelines when hosting parties that include teens:
Host safe, alcohol-free activities and events for youth during prom and graduation season.
Refuse to supply alcohol to children or allow drinking in your home or on your property.
Be at home when your teenager has a party.
Make sure your teenager’s friends do not bring alcohol into your home. If youth bring alcohol into your home, confiscate it immediately.
Talk to other parents about alcohol-free youth events. Unity creates a tough, enforceable message.
Report underage drinking to authorities promptly. 
This Belleville Area Cares Coalition public awareness reminder aims to inform parents and other adults about the health, legal and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties, especially during high risk times such as homecoming, prom and graduation.
Provided by the Belleville Area Cares Coalition. For more information on the Belleville Area Cares Coalition, contact Doug at dougm@fsmad.org.