This Community Campaign is Supported by:
Oconee County Sheriff’s Office,
Oconee County Board of Commissioners,
Oconee County Chamber of Commerce,
Oconee County School System,
GA Council on Substance Abuse,
OARC/Family Connection, Drug-Free Communities

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WHY 21?
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW:
• As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21 under any circumstance, even in your own home, even with their parent’s permission.
• You cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, to remain in your home or on your property while consuming or possessing alcohol.

IF YOU BREAK THE LAW:
• You can face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1000 fine.
• Others can sue you if you give alcohol to any- one under 21, and they, in turn, hurt someone, hurt themselves or damage property.
• Officers can take any alcohol, money or prop- erty used in committing the offense.

THINGS YOU CAN DO AS A PARENT:
• Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21.
•Be at home when your teen has a party.
•Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home or property by your teen’s friends.
•Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at other events your child will be attending.
•Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so teens will feel welcome.
•Report underage drinking to local law enforcement.

The 21 MLDA (minimum legal drinking age) saves the lives of well over 1000 youth each year and when the MLDA is lowered, motor vehicle crashes and deaths among youth increases. At least 50 studies have evaluated this correlation.

Alcohol is a contributing factor in the 3 leading causes of death for youth ages 15-20: accidental injury, suicide and homicide.

The U.S. Surgeon General reports death rates for 15-24 year olds are higher today than 20 years ago.

An adolescent’s central nervous system and brain are not fully developed until age 21 and they can become addicted to alcohol in as little as 6 to 18 months.

Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

More than 67% of young people who start drinking before the age of 15 will try an illicit drug.

Oconee Area Resource Council, a Family Connection Partnership