Greenwich PD Warns of Legal Repercussions of Underage Drinking

GREENWICH, CT- Police are warning teens and parents during the season of graduation parties that there could be legal repercussions if underage youths are found drinking.

"The Greenwich Police Department is reminding anyone exercising control of any property that you have a legal responsibility to stop anyone under the age of 21 to possess alcohol on your property," said Lt. Kraig Gray , police spokesman. "You may also be criminally and civilly responsible for any crime or injury that happens once that alcohol was consumed by anyone under the age of 21."

Anyone under the age of 21-years-old found with marijuana can face a 60-day suspension of his or her driver's license whether they were driving or not.

Police also offer these tips during the graduation party season:

PARENTS

• Prepare your teenager for the possibility that uninvited guests may arrive when you are away. Your teen

should know where to reach you, another responsible adult or the police.

• Call the parents who are hosting the party to ask them if they plan on making it an alcohol free party.

• Ask the host when the party is going to end.

• Consider saying NO to any sleep over plan.

• Be awake when your child returns home and greet them. Look out for signs of alcohol and drug use.

• Make a plan with your child to call you if they discover alcohol at a party.

• Make sure your child calls you if they plan on leaving the party to go somewhere else.

HOSTS

• Plan the activity with your teen and discuss who is invited. Have a responsible adult at the door to enforce the guest list.

• Have sufficient responsible chaperones.

• Be visible and circulate through the party often.

• No one should leave the party and then return.

• Don't allow water bottles and backpacks into the party.

• Call the parent if a teen brings alcohol.

• Establish areas of the house that are off-limits.

• Lock liquor and medicine cabinets.

 Don’t be afraid to call the police before a bad situation gets worse: we are here to keep the peace and not

necessarily to make an arrest.

TEENS

• Don't get in a car with someone who has been drinking or doing drugs; call your parents or Safe Ride

(203) 637-4345

• Don't drink something if you unsure of it’s origin/contents. There are many drinks that can be spiked with

drugs that can render you unconscious.

• Stay in groups; don't let a friend walk off with someone if they have been drinking.

• If one of your friends makes a mistakes, don’t make it worse by leaving someone alone who may pass out.

Call a responsible adult and 911 immediately if you suspect alcohol poisoning. You may be saving a life.