Commissioners Unanimously Pass Social Host/Teen Party Ordinance

Cobb Alcohol Taskforce (CobbAT) is pleased to announce the Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to pass a Social Host/Teen Party Ordinance during the Board of Commissoners meeting held July 24th. Cobb County joins hundreds of communities in 24 states who have implemented similar ordinances to save lives and protect public safety. (Source: MADD.org)

This new ordinance provides penalties for the hosting of gatherings where the unlawful underage possession of alcohol occurs. It will compliment, not supplant, the current state law prohibiting the furnishing of alcohol to minors.

The passage of this important ordinance comes after CobbAT volunteers and community representatives advocated for the passage of this alcohol policy, and presented comments during a public hearing explaining the importance of why this ordinance is needed in our community.

“We want to thank all the commissioners for their vote,” stated Bonnie Brand, parent, community activist and board chair for Cobb Alcohol Taskforce. “This ordinance is a step forward in helping to reduce underage drinking and youth binge drinking by addressing the number one place youth report obtaining alcohol - private parties.” 

The ordinance is expected to save lives and protect public safety by:

• Helping to establish a community norm that rejects underage drinking as an acceptable part of growing up
• Holding youth accountable for underage drinking parties planned without the knowledge of their parents
• Encouraging parents and adults to take steps to prevent teenage drinking parties while they are away
• Increasing awareness and providing an incentive for hosts to be vigilant in preventing underage drinking
• Deterring adults and youth from hosting parties where underage drinking occurs 

To learn more visit our website at www.cobbat.org