Petaluma adopted a Social Host Ordinance in December of 2006. This ordinance is a prevention tool designed to stop parties where binge drinking is occurring by holding adult property owners accountable for allowing service and consumption of alcohol to youth in their home. Since July of 2007, 18 Social Host Ordinance citations have been issued by the Petaluma Police Department. This confirms the fact that underage drinking in social settings is an area of concern. It also confirms that our local police department is taking bold action to enforce the Social Host Ordinance. A recent report from the Petaluma Alcohol Enforcement Officer stated that he has begun to receive calls from adult party hosts who discover underage drinking on their property.
House parties can be particularly problematic because of the large number of drinkers and the significant amount of alcohol individuals consume when binge drinking. Teens experience a wide range of problems when they are involved with alcohol and binge drinking. Violence, including sexual assaults and fights, accidents, alcohol poisoning, and lowered school performance are a few of the issues directly connected to teen alcohol use.