According to Thriving Youth Darien’s 2023 Youth Survey, 69% of high-school aged youth believed it would be sort of or very easy to access alcohol, and 53% report getting alcohol from an adult or parent with their permission.
To address these concerning findings, Thriving Youth Darien is partnering with the Darien Police Department on a “sticker shock” campaign this spring to raise awareness in our community about Connecticut’s Social Host Law, which holds parents and property owners liable for underage drinking and/or cannabis use that occurs in their homes. A person convicted of violating this law may be fined up to $2,000 and receive up to one year in jail.
The “sticker shock” campaign launches in May to coincide with prom and graduation celebrations. Youth representatives from Thriving Youth Darien, The Community Fund of Darien’s Youth Asset Team, and The Depot’s Students Against Destructive Decisions group and Volunteer Club will place signage and stickers with the reminder “If teens can’t buy it, don’t supply it” at participating local wine and liquor retailers. The stickers also direct residents to more information about the social host law, along with free resources and tips for parents to talk to their kids about alcohol and other substances (www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-social-host-law).
A special thank you Sipstirs, Frate’s Wines and Liquors, and Leary’s Liquor Cabinet for partnering with Thriving Youth Darien and Darien Police Department to share this important message with our community.
The educational campaign will continue in May and June with social media posts highlighting CT’s social host law and findings related to underage drinking from the 2023 Darien Youth Survey. Follow @thrivingyouthdarien on Instagram and Facebook for posts and the latest updates about this important initiative.
This year, as teens celebrate milestones or simply gather for fun, remember the Social Host Law! Please keep our community safe and keep alcohol away from our teens.
For more information on the Social Host Law and substance use resources, please visit www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-social-host-law or follow @thrivingyouthdarien on Instagram or Facebook.
Thriving Youth Darien is a volunteer coalition that brings together local community organizations to promote and empower positive youth development and mental health, with the goal of reducing teen substance use. The diverse group includes mental health, substance use and healthcare professionals as well as leaders from the schools, police, town government and clergy.
Thanks to its federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Grant, Thriving Youth Darien, in partnership with the Darien Public Schools, surveys Darien 6-12th grade students about their mental health and substance use patterns every two years and presents results to parents and the town. The findings are also used to inform TYTF members’ educational program planning. Thriving Youth Darien, which is convened by The Community Fund of Darien, was created in 2008 and meets every other month during the school year.