A 'minor' problem: Fliers aim to keep high-schoolers out of college parties
Enterprise-Record 3/29/07
Desiree Bewley is a junior at Chico High School. She said she and others at her school are concerned that high school students are attending college parties. On Monday mornings it's alarming, she said, to hear about some of the things that went on over the weekend.
College students don't want high school students at parties, but it can be difficult to tell how old someone in their late teens is, she said.
Wednesday's event included about 45 Chico State and high school students who went to various student neighborhoods and hung cards on residents' door knobs encouraging college students to be more careful about who they allow to drink at their parties.
The card, printed on both sides, reminded people to check everyone's identification and ensure that someone monitors the booze.
Hand or wrist bands were encouraged. Even people who are of legal age to drink should be watched to make sure they are not served too much alcohol and that they don't attempt to drive drunk, the group message stated.
The fliers also warned students that charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor could occur, and that the fine for a minor in possession is $250 with up to 32 hours of community service. A second offense can be a fine of $500 and 48 hours community service, as well as suspension of their drivers license.
Jeremy Wilson, coordinator of the Butte Youth Now Coalition, helped keep the event very upbeat. Those who helped out were treated to pizza at Woodstock's.
Sophie Shafter, chair of public relations for the Panhellenic Association, said the students covered a lot of ground and got out the 450 fliers.
Other participants were the Inter-Fraternity Council and Friday Night Live club.
The point was to get the word out and hope that people understood the risks of having a party where they don't know who is attending and what age they are.
If there are so many people that the hosts don't know who is there, "that's when there are too many people," Shafter said.
The Butte Youth Now Coalition meets monthly with members from high schools and adults who represent different agencies, Wilson explained.
The countywide program is funded through a grant of $100,000 a year and local contributions.
In addition to programs like the one held Wednesday, the group works closely with the Department of Behavioral Health and law enforcement to help with programs such as neighborhood watch and alcohol prevention.
A recent survey of high school students revealed there are three main ways that minors gain access to alcohol -- through parents or older siblings, store clerks who don't check IDs, and college parties.
Wilson's program is also focusing on providing training to bar servers so they can learn not to overpour or serve people who are too intoxicated.