In response to the ongoing trial of a Los Gatos mom charged for hosting alcohol-fueled parties for teenagers, the city of Los Gatos and the Los Gatos Union School District have implemented new measures to tackle underage drinking and substance abuse. ABC7 News reports that in April 2022, Los Gatos updated their 'social host ordinance,' which holds anyone accountable for parties where underage drinking or drug use is allowed, with fines up to $3,000.
As part of their efforts, the city has teamed up with The Montana Institute to refocus on encouraging positive community norms. According to Sara Thompson, Director of Training and Communications at the Montana Institute, misperceptions about peer alcohol consumption are a significant contributor to teen drinking. Their research-based method works on correcting these inaccuracies to create healthier norms and reduce alcohol usage.
Surveys from the Montana Institute have consistently shown students inflate their perceptions of their peers' alcohol consumption. The organization aims to change these skewed viewpoints by uncovering the truth about how many students drink and using the positive engagement of non-drinking students to create a new narrative. Los Gatos Union School District and the town have dedicated a total of $56,000 for the institute's services, including surveys and workshops, to change community norms.
In addition to these efforts, a Dublin High School student launched a social platform called My Alcohol Story in January. The platform allows teenagers affected by alcoholism, either their own or someone else's, to share their stories anonymously. Anit Annadi, the creator, believes the majority of first-time drinkers experience alcohol at parties and that this platform can help change their view of alcohol. The website has received more than 1,200 users and over 350 shared stories ABC7 News notes.
While social host ordinances may contribute to deterring underage alcohol consumption, a multi-pronged approach is often necessary. Parental involvement can be crucial, as Linda Richter, Senior Vice President of Prevention Research and Analysis for the Partnership to End Addiction, explained to Mercury News. Teenagers tend to engage in riskier and excessive drinking when allowed to consume alcohol under parental supervision, the opposite of the intended safer environment. Social host ordinances create legal consequences for parents who condone or provide alcohol to minors, while offering a sense of security that law enforcement can step in when needed.
