Teens, parents will learn about host liability laws BY NICOLE M. ANLLO Staff Writer MANALAPAN- An informative meeting about the consequences parents could face if they host a party and provide alcohol to minors will be held at Manalapan High School, Church Lane, Manalapan. "ParentsWho Host Lose theMost" will be presented on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. Originally developed by the Drug-Free Action Alliance in 2000, the public awareness campaign has won the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's Promising Prevention ProgramAward. The program will be presented by attorney Robert Honecker Jr., Lisa Harmon Mollicone, who is the coordinator for the Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and impact speaker Ari Solomon. Mollicone, who is a certified alcohol and drug counselor and addictions prevention specialist, works with the alliance, which helps to raise public awareness about alcohol and substance-abuse issues. According to information provided on the Manalapan Internet Web site about the community alliance, the importance of student involvement in alliance activities is highly stressed. Organizers of theMay 12 event are encouraging high school students to attend the meeting with their parents. According to Mollicone, a previous event on this topic produced a standingroom crowd of teenagers and parents. The presentation will begin with Mollicone's explanation of the immediate effects of alcohol on the body and will provide an overview of the dangers of consuming alcohol and serving alcohol to minors. Following Mollicone's comments, Honecker will speak. The attorney worked in theMonmouth County Prosecutor's Office for more than two decades before recently entering private practice. Honecker will discuss host liability laws that all parents should be aware of. This applies to parents who may not even be present when a party is held in their home. Finally, Ari Solomon, of Manalapan, will talk about his past experiences with underage drinking. His role in an alcoholrelated car crash when he was a minor several years ago resulted in prison time and an ongoing legal case with those responsible for his underage substance possession. Solomon is committed to sharing his story and the lessons he has learned. Mollicone said there are many factors that have influenced the presence of alcohol in teen social circles. She made the point that many people do not realize that "we make it hard for kids." The popularity of alcohol jingles, for example, leaves an impact on teens in society. She said the importance of this issue in the community cannot be overlooked.Mollicone explained that hosting parties with alcohol consumption is a growing problem in Monmouth County. Parents and teens from all towns are invited to Manalapan High School for this event.