MCAP and MPD Social Host Campaign, Nov 2020

"Parents Who Host, Lose the Most", Social Host Campaign

You will be seeing these posters pop up around town.

Medfield Outreach director Kathy McDonald, left, MPD Officer Michelle Manganello, Medfield Outreach Prevention Coordinator, Meri Haas, and MPD Chief Michelle Guerette are part of MCAP's "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" social host liability campaign.

Prevention Coalition begins new - Social Host Liability campaign -

Information for parents who host underage drinking

There is more underage drinking in Medfield than in neighboring towns, according to area researchers, and a substantial amount of it is happening in the homes of parents who are aware that it is happening.

The Medfield Cares About Prevention Coalition (MCAP), a Medfield Foundation initiative administered by Medfield Outreach, is partnering with the Medfield Police Department and area organizations to inform parents of both the civil and criminal liabilities of hosting house parties and dispelling the myths that those parties are safer, or that early supervised drinking leads to less problematic drinking as teens mature.

Research suggests that drinking during the teen years could interfere with normal brain development and change the brain in ways that have negative effects on information processing and learning, and increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life.

"Many parents believe that they are doing their teens a favor by letting them and their friends drink at home. That was certainly the perspective in my home growing up. There was less known then about the negative implications of underage drinking - repercussions that will follow me the rest of my life." said Medfield parent Kate Blood. "I think parents who follow this logic are trying to do right by their kids - and, their opinions on the topic might shift when they hear more of the emerging science."."

The "Parents Who Host Lose the Most" posters going up in businesses, civic, and government spaces throughout town have a "QR" code that will connect any cell phone to research and resources on social host liability, the truth about alcohol's impact on the teen brain, and information about the MCAP coalition.

"The goal of the Medfield Police Department is to promote safety not only for the general public but for our youth in particular. We strongly encourage parents and other adults to act responsibly and not introduce alcohol to our youth," Medfield Chief Michelle Guerette said. "While enforcement is never our primary objective, we will pursue these cases to the furthest extent of the law in order to protect our most vulnerable population."

To find out more about the campaign visit: https://medfieldcares.org/wp/?qards_page=social-host-laws