On Jan. 1, the dram shop and social host liability law went into effect in Nebraska. With the new law in place, adults who provide or sell alcohol to a minor can be held civilly liable if that minor injures or kills someone. The legislation sends a clear message to all adults that providing alcohol to kids will result in serious consequences. It could cost you and your family big.
Unfortunately, young people often don’t have to look far to find alcohol. Adults are the No. 1 source of alcohol. That includes retailers, parents, older siblings, friends and other adults. Adults can no longer view alcohol use as a rite of passage. Our children’s futures are at risk.
We’re asking for the community’s support to help prevent tragedies during the graduation season. Never provide alcohol to minors - even in your own home. Encourage young people to have fun - but to celebrate without alcohol.
Those adults who allow underage youth to drink with their supervision are doing so under a dangerous misconception. Hosting underage drinking parties is not a safe alternative. The combination of alcohol and teenagers is a recipe for disaster in any environment. The only message young people take away is that underage drinking is tolerated.
The solution to the problem doesn’t rest on the shoulders of one person, but on the entire community. Project Extra Mile will continue to work with community members to address the availability of alcohol to youth. It takes the concerted effort of law enforcement, elected officials, prosecutors, judges, citizens, young people and others to effectively prevent underage drinking and its tragic consequences.
We need your voice! Please don’t tolerate underage drinking in our community. When you hear of an underage drinking party, inform law enforcement. If you know an underage drinking party is in progress, call 911 immediately.
On behalf of our community’s youth, we thank you for your efforts to keep our young people safe.
Chassity Bassett is project coordinator for Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties
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