FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — Local police are warning parents who allow underage drinking at home. They're cracking down, and the punishment could mean jail time.
Laws are now in place to help curb underage drinking in Fayette County, and it's just in time, said Dawn Oparah.
"This is prom time. It's also graduation time," Oparah told Channel 2’s Carl Willis.
targeting parents who host teen drinking parties.
Peachtree City, Tyrone, Fayetteville and Brooks all followed earlier this year. %
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It's an effort to deter parents who may feel it's safer for kids to drink as long as they're supervised and their keys are taken away.
"If they're not 21, they have no business drinking. I don't care if it's at your house or your neighbor's or wherever it is," parent Carol Austin said.
Oparah and Michael Mumper pushed to get the ordinance passed. But they said that was just the beginning.
"It’s not just drinking and driving but sexual assault happens, other things happen when there are parties and things get out of hand," Oparah said.
Now they're pushing awareness and enforcement.
They said April is alcohol awareness month and local schools are helping them spread A PSA featuring law enforcement.
"We have heard that our sheriff has used this ordinance twice so far and that the other jurisdictions are training their officers and being prepared to use the Social Host Ordinance," Mumper said.
Still, some are hesitant to embrace the change.
"It’s up to the parents to teach their kids what they need to be taught," said Fayette County resident Gage Rola.
But law enforcement said parents could wind up in court, fined or even jail if they don't heed the warning.
"This gives the parents something to say, to say, 'Gosh, I don't want to go to jail for you,' and gives them some teeth to say no," Oparah said.
Cox Media Group
