The southwest Valley town of Buckeye is starting to take underage drinking a little bit more seriously. It seems that the small town is setting an example for other towns within the state. The Way Out West Coalition in Buckeye considers teenage drinking the most pressing issue among today's youth, according to the Arizona Republic. Now the coalition, along with other local organizations like Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and Youth Evaluation are holding adults partially responsible for teenage drinking.
The community effort in Buckeye aims at punishing adults when children drink. The new ordinance would hold parents financially accountable when their children drink. Buckeye would fine the adult who is responsible for the property where minors are drinking. If they are first time offenders, adults would be allowed to take a training class and avoid fines, but the details are not yet set. Tucson, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, and Superior are just a few other cities in Arizona that have social-host ordinances.
"Some parents (think) . . . 'As long as you're drinking here, at least you're not drinking elsewhere.' Well, that does not make it all right, and it contributes to our problem, and so this will give the officers a way to deal with it," Councilman Brian McAchran said in Arizona Republic. "And what it does is, it holds parents or adults financially responsible and puts a huge incentive (on) not allowing parties and being accountable."
Yet it's possible that some Valley residents and AZ DUI lawyers will question the ordinance upon official approval from Buckeye's city council. If parents pick up the fine for underage drinkers, will it really stop teens from consuming alcohol?
Related Resources:
"Some parents (think) . . . 'As long as you're drinking here, at least you're not drinking elsewhere.' Well, that does not make it all right, and it contributes to our problem, and so this will give the officers a way to deal with it," Councilman Brian McAchran said in Arizona Republic. "And what it does is, it holds parents or adults financially responsible and puts a huge incentive (on) not allowing parties and being accountable."
Yet it's possible that some Valley residents and AZ DUI lawyers will question the ordinance upon official approval from Buckeye's city council. If parents pick up the fine for underage drinkers, will it really stop teens from consuming alcohol?
Related Resources:
- Arizona DUI Law (FindLaw)
- Drunk Driving: Elements of Offense (FindLaw)
- AZ DUI lawyer directory (FindLaw)
