Be a Parent, Not a Pal Presentation April 12

On Monday April 12th from 7pm-9pm, Medford Board of Health and Medford Health Matters Substance Abuse Task will be hosting a presentation for parents at the Caron Theater, Medford High School.

Be a Parent, Not a Pal is a presentation created by Richard P. Campbell and the law firm of Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy to educate students, parents, teachers and members of the community about the Social Host Law, and to illustrate the legal consequences of allowing those under the age of 21 to possess alcoholic beverages. The presentation will tell the stories of victims of the consequences of underage drinking as well as of the hosts who have been prosecuted under the Social Host Law. They show what happens when good kids make bad decisions and well-meaning parents who think that they are providing safe havens for their children and their friends painfully discover that these havens are not safe after all. They discuss the liability of social hosts when civil actions with millions of dollars at stake rapidly follow criminal prosecutions. They give new perspectives on the question, “Mom, Dad, can I have a party here at the house? Some of my friends will be drinking, but since I’ll collect all of the car keys, we’ll be safe, and everything will be all right.”

This program is for all parents with teens 6th to 12th grade but the program content is geared toward parents with teens in High School. Admission is free and refreshments will be served, please RSVP at Medford Board of Health 781-393-2560 or at pbruce@medford.org.

– Submitted by Penelope Bruce, Underage Drinking Prevention Program Coordinator, Medford Board of Health/Medford Health Matters