Dear Parents,

Prom and graduation can be a memorable time in a teenager’s life. It is also a time when celebrations can easily turn into a tragedy because of the increased occurrences of underage drinking.

It is important to educate our youth while helping foster good choices. You can do your part by understanding Ohio’s underage drinking laws.

• It is illegal to provide a place for your child and his/her friends to drink in a “safe” environment. In fact, parents may not provide alcohol to children who are under 21, who are not their own, even in their own home with the other parents’ permission.

Those convicted of providing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age face maximum sentences of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

• It is illegal to purchase alcohol for anyone under 21. Anyone who purchases, sells or gives alcoholic beverages to underage individuals faces a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail.

• If you are under 21 and are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent or higher, a level that can be reached after just one or two drinks, you can be arrested.

Punishment is suspension of your driver license for at least 90 days up to a maximum of two years, plus four points added to your driving record. Having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle is also illegal.

We commend those teens who make the wise and mature decision not to participate in illegal and dangerous behavior. Parents and administrators have the best opportunity to influence decisions and attitudes to make this the safest prom and graduation season in Ohio.

Together, we must commit to making a safer Ohio, by stopping senseless tragedies associated with irresponsible and illegal underage alcohol consumption.

If you have information about a bar; store or carryout selling beer and/or liquor to persons under the age of 21; or you have information of an underage house party, please notify the Ohio Investigative Unit by calling #677 on your cell phone and potential violations will be investigated.

Captain Gary Allen

Commander of the

Ohio Investigative Unit

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