By
Osage News
By Osage Nation Prevention Programs
Oklahoma State University Prevention Programs along with Osage Nation Prevention Programs (ONPP) partnered with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement (ABLE) to host a one-day law enforcement training at the Osage County Health Department, Sept. 13. The presenter was Senior ABLE Agent Erik Smoot of the Oklahoma ABLE Commission.
Twelve officers were trained from the Osage County Tribal Enforcement Unit. The training provided an in-depth look at alcohol laws and underage drinking prevention strategies. Parts of the class included incorporated tactical instruction in party dispersals, compliance checks, and shoulder taps with community building strategies. The training also equipped law enforcement with more knowledge of the Social Host Law and how to effectively enforce it and bring overall awareness to the community.
Oklahoma’s Social Host Law puts a shared responsibility for underage drinking on the person providing the location for the gathering. Adults or minors can be cited and fined under the Social Host Law. If people under 21 are gathered and drinking on private property, the person who provides the location is considered the Social Host, and will be held accountable.
Consequences for violating Social Host Laws may include a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum $2500 fine if someone is injured or killed. First time violations carry a fine of up to $500. Fines increase with additional violations — three strikes get you a felony conviction with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.
To learn more about Oklahoma’s Social Host Law please visit www.oklahomasocialhost.com.
Original Publish Date: 2013-10-15 00:00:00
