Underage Drinking – Dozen Charges – Parents Warned

(Howick, ON) On April 2, 2010 Huron OPP officers received a complaint of a large party on Lakelet Road in Howick Township. The party was taking place at a private residence and involved persons under 19 years of age attending. Huron OPP officers set up a RIDE checkpoint in the area to ensure the safety of those attending or leaving the party. In total, a dozen charges were laid under the Liquor Licence Act. Most involved underage youth being in possession of alcohol and having open liquor in a motor vehicle. This is a recipe for potential disaster. In another incident, officers attempted to stop a driver but he fled from his vehicle leaving his liquor behind. Another incident forced officers to jump out of the way of two ATV’s coming from the party, both of which failed to stop for police. The last two incidents remain under investigation.

The potential liability for parents allowing such activities to occur on their property is huge. It is not legal for an adult to ‘supervise’ any underage drinkers who are not their own children on the adults’ private property. It is not legal to provide underage people with alcohol – even if you’re supervising. It is not legal to be in possession of alcohol when you’re under 19 years of age. It is also not legal to have open liquor in a vehicle. The list goes on. If any injury had occurred to a person leaving this type of event, not only could a criminal investigation take place, a civil investigation would almost be guaranteed.

Adults, please be responsible and lead by example. The Huron OPP will continue to vigorously apply the Highway Traffic Act and Liquor Licence Act at these types of events in an attempt to ensure we do not have to knock on a parent’s door in the middle of the night to advise then that their child has been in a collision. LP10082844

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