Meade County Fiscal Court hears “Social Host” proposal By CINDY HENNING A large assembly of Meade County High School Youth in Charge students and their supporters got the Nov. 8 meeting of the Meade County Fiscal Court off to an energized start with their presentation for a proposed “Social Host” law. This ordinance will hold adults responsible for underage drinking on their property or on premises under their control. Christina Miller, Elizabeth Swart and Michelle LaTondress presented information gathered by their Youth Empowerment Strategies (Y.E.S.) task force that showed adults are the number one source for alcohol provided to underage drinkers in Meade County. They listed survey results from 357 parents of Meade County 5th- and 6th-graders that reflected serious concern about underage drinking. Of the respondents, 83 percent felt it was a problem; 92 percent were troubled about drinking and driving; 95 percent would support more severe penalties for adults who supply alcohol to minors; 86 percent would favor a “Social Host” type law; 84 percent thought it was easy for students to obtain alcohol. Most parents surveyed felt that students probably began drinking around age 14, but the results from a 2003 Kentucky Incentive Program survey were more surprising. It indicated that Meade County students were trying alcohol and drinking on a regular basis at earlier ages. Another surprise was that the surveyed estimate of 36 establishments selling alcohol in Meade County was actually too low by 14. The magistrates commended the group and directed County Attorney Darren Sipes to prepare the proposal for its first reading at the December session, but Esquire Kent Allen questioned how this would be better than current laws. DARE officer Mike Cummings, who along with Jim Crigler, Sipes and Bev Morrison advised the group on their task, stated that the ordinance would give police officers another tool to stop adults from allowing children under 21 to drink alcohol. Officer Cummings also said that some adults do not see drinking as dangerous for teens despite statistics, but as he tells the kids, “Mom can’t write you a note to rob a bank, so parents can’t let you break drinking laws.” Miller summarized with the hope that this could “change the problem by changing the environment.” As Magistrate Ronnie Greenwell was their Fiscal Court contact before his death, Y.E.S. task force’s winning presentation was a fitting tribute to his memory
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