|
(Columbus) – In high schools all
across Ohio, graduates and their families are celebrating the ending of one
chapter and the beginning of another. Those celebrations often include alcohol.
In
an effort to make this a safe graduation season, agents with the Ohio
Investigative Unit (OIU) remind parents and graduates to make the decision not
to participate in illegal and dangerous behavior, such as providing alcohol to
minors and consuming underage.
OIU
agents want parents and community members to do their 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.
Also,
carry outs and drive-through establishments should be on alert for underage
individuals attempting to purchase alcohol. Agents also recommend limo
companies review policies with their drivers and ensure they know they may also
be charged with permitting underage consumption.
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 the #677 on your
cell phone and your complaint will be investigated.
# # #
| 
