Family & Community Students & Families Student Support, Career & Education
Nutrition, Health and Safety

Don't Give Kids Alcohol

May 7, 2004

Dear Principals, Parents and Other Interested Parties:

We are pleased to share with you our new brochure for parents titled "Don't Give Kids Alcohol; It's Not Worth It". This brochure is designed to educate parents and other adults about social host liability and the criminal and civil responsibility one bears if they allow underage drinking on their property.

As you know, underage alcohol use is a serious problem for all communities. In a study conducted in May 2002 by the Massachusetts Youth Alcohol Prevention Task Force, forty-five percent of 7th and 8th grade students reported that alcohol is easy to obtain. In the same study, seventy-eight percent of high school students reported that alcohol was easy to obtain.

This issue must always be at the forefront, especially when prom and graduation season are on the horizon. Our goal is to reach out to adults in all communities, through local law enforcement and schools, to provide them with information in an effort to prevent alcohol related tragedies.

Download a copy of this brochure for reproduction. Thank you for continuing the effort to protect our youth and keep them safe and sober.

Sincerely,

Jonathan W. Blodgett
Essex District Attorney

and

John L. G. Bynoe III
Associate Commissioner
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education