Dangers of teen drinking, house parties discussed
Attorney: Parents face consequences of serving alcohol
BY NICOLE M. ANLLO Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - With more than 80 percent of teenagers reported to be trying alcohol at some point during their high school years, parents should be warned of the consequences their children and they themselves can face.

That is the opinion of one young adult.

"It doesn't matter what you think or (think you) know about your child," said Ari Solomon, 21. "My parents didn't even know I drank until I was arrested."

Solomon was one of three speakers at a public awareness campaign presentation, "Parents Who Host, Lose the Most," held recently at Manalapan High School.

Lisa Harmon Mollicone and attorney Robert Honecker Jr. joined Solomon in urging parents and teens to spread the word about the importance of addressing and correcting the problem of underage alcohol use, the extent that host liability laws can negatively affect those who serve alcohol, and common misconceptions that could cause parents to lose everything.

Mollicone, the community alliance coordinator in Manalapan and Englishtown, began the presentation, which was held May 12.

Mollicone, a certified drug and alcohol counselor and an addictions prevention specialist, started the presentation by showing the video "This Place," directed by Kerry Rasikas. The video explained how parental use of alcohol and the presence of alcohol in society contribute to the problem of underage alcohol consumption.

It was noted that, unfortunately, many advertisements and the popularity of alcohol sales in local stores have created a "user friendly" environment for this drug. While cigarette advertising has been curtailed in recent years - and eliminated from television - alcohol ads seem to be increasing and are being directed at a younger demographic. For example, alcoholic products now taste like lemonade and other flavors appealing to children.

According to the video, every day 7,000 people under the age of 16 take their first drink of alcohol. In New Jersey specifically, children begin drinking alcohol at a younger age than in any other state. Mollicone pointed out that adults have created all of the negative promotions that push alcohol to a younger audience. She said adults owe children an apology for doing that.

Mollicone was able to highlight the misconception that parents who allow their child, or their child's friends, to drink in their home think they have control over the situation. She pointed out that parents do not know what type of medications their child's friends could be on and with which alcohol could react.

Parents also would not be able to monitor all of the people in their house at the same time either. She emphasized the fact that times have changed. When a parent allows his child to attend a party outside of the home, instead of asking their child if the parents will be home, parents need to specify their questions and ask if alcohol will be served.

Honecker, an attorney who worked in the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for more than two decades and is now in private practice, was the former head of the Drunk Driving Task Force.

He explained the criminal charges people will have to deal with if they allow underage drinking to occur. Parents who provide alcohol or host a party during which minors consume alcohol could face jail time and heavy fines, he said.M

any parents do not realize they can be held accountable for civil laws as well. Honecker described how, in New Jersey, social host liability laws which only used to apply to restaurants and bars have been extended to the home consumption of alcohol since 1984 after the case Kelly v. Gwinnell.

Many people are not aware they can be civilly sued based on host liability statutes for serving an already intoxicated person or for serving any alcohol to an underage person. Honecker emphasized the financial severity of such cases in which people can sue parents for millions of dollars and he warned, "You can lose everything."

Honecker was adamant about pointing out the inescapability of repercussions when dealing with underage drinking.

In his experience he said he has heard parents use the excuse, "Don't worry I take the keys," multiple times. He said this is not enough to ensure the safety of young people. For example, one person can have an extra set of keys.

Honecker also highlighted the fact that people can injure themselves even when they are not driving. Injuries, sexual assault, alcohol poisoning, drowning or suicide can occur at someone's home due to the use of alcohol.

The civil responsibilities are unavoidable, according to Honecker. If parents are not present in their home when underage drinking occurs there, they are still responsible for anything that happens on their property.

In response to a question from the audience, Honecker said that even if parents rent a house or a hotel room for their children (a popular practice during prom season) the parents are still held accountable for any illegal activity which might occur at that location.

"There is no escaping liability," Honecker said. "No matter how much you think you can mask it or avoid it, you can't escape" the host liability laws.

Honecker ended his presentation with an appeal. Despite the modest size of the audience, he said it was important for those who were present to share what they had learned with other parents.

The final speaker of the night was Solomon. His gripping account of his past experience was a warning to the audience about the reality of the facts that were presented that night.

Solomon graduated from high school in 2004 and attended Brookdale Community College that fall. He said he was doing very well in school and had his highest grade point average ever in November of that year. At about that same time he attended a house party and consumed alcohol while he was under the legal drinking age of 21. A group of people needed to be driven to another friend's house that night. Solomon believed he was the most sober individual in that group and volunteered to drive the others.

Although he believed he was acting responsibly, Solomon's actions resulted in a serious car accident. The entire right side of his car was ripped off and his passengers were seriously injured.

"I really almost killed these four people," Solomon said as he recounted his story. "I was arrested right on the spot. I was only 18 years old."

Solomon received a sentence of four years' probation, he lost his driver's license and he had to spend 300 days in the Middlesex County jail.

"It wasn't juvy (juvenile detention)," Solomon said as he emphasized the severity of his punishment and the fact that he was forced to live with other convicted criminals.

Solomon met Mollicone when he was sentenced to complete a requirement that he perform community service. According to Solomon, he really wanted to start making a difference at that point of his life.

As he spoke to the audience he also explained the repercussions that the parents who were involved in the 2004 incident are currently facing. The people who hosted the party are still dealing with million-dollar fines and may lose their home, he said.

Solomon wants all people who think alcohol consumption is not a problem to know that "it's not fine, because someone's going to go out and get hurt. Something's going to happen to one of these kids. Your kids."

Frank Morano, the student assistance counselor at Manalapan High School, closed the presentation. He thanked those who attended for showing their concern and commitment to recognizing such problems in the community.

He commented that students are "drinking at alarming rates, astronomical rates." It is a problem in the community that some parents are allowing to flourish, he said, adding that teenagers and adults cannot overlook the situation and must take action to address the crisis.