Got A Minute? Think About It!!!

Did you know… many high school students report getting alcohol from a friend or family member who is 21 or older?

The SAFE Coalition is working to reduce youth access to alcohol in Van Buren County and is asking for your help, think twice when buying alcohol for anyone under age 21. 

For more information on the SAFE Coalition and underage drinking issues in Van Buren County please visit www.vbsafecoalition.com

You may also contact the coalition at 319-293-6412 or online at info@vbsafecoalition.com

What is this Social Host All About – Part 2

Why is This Important?

·         We want our youth to grow up to be strong, healthy and drug-free.

·         Even when the property owner did not supply the alcohol, it is still illegal for underage youth to consume alcohol. Adults, including parents, who knowingly permit youth to consume alcohol at their home, are sending the wrong message to our youth.

·         Currently, only the person who actually physically sells or gives the alcohol to the person under legal age can be prosecuted.

·         Underage drinkers may obtain the alcohol from one person and then go somewhere else to drink it.  Common examples are parties that take place in rural areas, or at the home of one of the underage drinkers.  Adults have told police they knew about the party and it was okay with them, “because the kids weren’t driving and I knew where they were.”  This is still condoning illegal behavior.  Currently, there is no charge that applies to these situations.

Did you know…

·         It costs Iowans $582 million a year as a result of underage drinking.

·         82% of athlete’s parents surveyed believe their son or daughter does not drink. 52% of their underage student-athletes admitted to drinking.

·         Youth who drink before 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who began drinking at age 21.

Enacting a local social host ordinance would give law enforcement the ability to address and manage the issue of individuals hosting underage drinking in a way that fits our local community, rather than being bound by the state vision for this issue.  The neighboring community of Jefferson County has adopted a local social host ordinance which could be used as a possible guide for drafting one for Van Buren County. 

Local changes recommended for the local social host ordinance include: Designating a violation as a municipal infraction with a civil penalty rather than the state code’s criminal misdemeanor penalty; Imposing fines in the amount of $750 for first offense and $1,000 for second offense, which is more meaningful than $500 for second and subsequent offenses as provided for in state code; Including individuals in the 18-20 year old age group as 21 is the legal drinking age in the state of Iowa.

For more information please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com.

What is this Social Host All About – Part 1

Who is a Social Host? 

A social host is someone who knowingly allows an underage person to consume alcohol illegally on the host’s property. 

What is Social Host Liability? 

Social Host Liability is the legal term for the criminal responsibility of a person who allows such illegal activity.

What would this ordinance/law aim to do?

·         This ordinance is part of the effort to stop underage drinking.

·         The Social Host Ordinance is aimed at those who allow persons under legal age to consume alcoholic beverages in or on property they own or control.

·         This ordinance would address enforcement and prosecution problems where persons knowingly permit or allow underage drinkers to have a party on their property, even when the owner didn’t supply the alcohol, and persons, including parents, who knowingly permit or allow their children’s friends to consume alcohol at their home, even where the parents didn’t supply the alcohol.  Currently, only the person who actually physically sells or gives the alcohol to the person under legal age can be prosecuted.

·         The ordinance will authorize a civil fine of adults who know that underage drinking is occurring on their property and either allows it to go on or does nothing to stop it.  Underage drinkers may obtain the alcohol from one person and then go somewhere else to drink it.  Common examples are parties that take place in rural areas or the basement of a home of one of the underage drinkers.  Parents have told police that they knew about the party and it was okay with the parents because the kids weren’t driving and they knew where they were.  Currently, there is no charge that applies to these situations.

·         The charge and penalty will be punishable by a fine.

·         The ordinance only applies to those who know that underage drinking is going on and do not stop it, or who gave permission for it to occur in the first place.  It would not apply to persons who did not know that underage drinking was occurring on their property.  For example, if the parents were away, and their child had a party at their home and the parents were unaware of it, those parents would not be charged.

·         The ordinance/law would not give law enforcement permission to enter private property without cause. 

Read more about Social Host in next week’s paper.  For more information please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com.

PBS KIDS SAFE AND HEALTHY KIDS FAIR JULY 26th — 5:00 to 7:00 pm

The Child Abuse Prevention Council will be sponsoring the twelfth annual “Safe and Healthy” Kids Fair. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at the Roberts Memorial Building in Keosauqua from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and is open to all Van Buren County residents.

                                                

The fair theme this year will be PBS Kids with many fun games and activities for kids.  As always the fair will focus on keeping kids, ages 0-18 in the county safe and healthy.  Topics that will be covered include: child abuse prevention, nutrition, mental health, dental, immunizations, lead poisoning, fire safety, literacy, quality child care and preschools, parenting skills, and much more. Last year 35-40 exhibitors participated in the fair.

All school-aged children from Van Buren Community Schools, Harmony Community Schools, and home-schooled children will receive free school supplies. Handouts promoting health and safety will be given to each child as well as other community services.  A free book and backpack will be given to each student who attends the fair.  A raffle will also take place where prizes will be given away being donated by the various vendors. 

This event promotes the many resources we have available to the children of Van Buren County. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please call 319-293-3171 ext. 1271.

Marijuana Use Hurts the Developing Youth Brain

This Fourth of July, There’s No Excuse— “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

Every year Americans head out on our nation’s highways to celebrate the Fourth of July at picnics, parties, parades and more.  Unfortunately, for many, the celebrating includes drinking alcohol, which too often leads to drunk driving on one of the most heavily traveled holidays of the year.

There were 397 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2014 over the Fourth of July holiday (6 p.m. July 3rd to 5:59 a.m. July 7th). Of those fatalities, 164 people (41%) were killed in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.  In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes nationwide—almost a third of all crash fatalities.  And from 2010-2014, 39 percent of all traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July period occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.  In every state and the District of Columbia, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. Yet, among the 164 people killed in drunk-driving crashes over the 2014 July Fourth period, 113 people died in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .15 or higher—almost twice the set limit.

This Fourth of July, law enforcement will be out in full force, cracking down on drunk drivers by aggressively targeting those who put lives in danger.  Don’t even think about drinking and driving this Fourth of July, or you will be arrested. The ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign means zero tolerance for drunk driving—no excuses.

NHTSA data shows that young drivers are especially at risk of driving drunk. In fact, 58 percent of the drivers 18 to 34 years old who were killed over the July Fourth period in 2014 were driving drunk (BAC of .08 or higher). Motorcycle operators are also overrepresented as the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes. In 2014, more than a quarter (29%) of motorcycle operators in fatal crashes had BACs of .08 or higher.  Drunk drivers are also more common at night. Over the July Fourth holiday in 2014, more than two-fifths (42%) of the drivers in nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired, compared to 12 percent of drivers in fatal crashes during the day.

If you’re caught driving drunk this Independence Day, you will be arrested. The consequences of drunk driving are that serious. Not only could you put your life and the lives of others at risk, but a DUI arrest means a loss of freedom and money, including going to jail, losing your license, and paying steep financial expenses. The average DUI cost? About $10,000.

This Fourth of July, don’t risk losing your life or your independence by drinking and driving. Help make everyone’s holiday in Van Buren County safer by driving sober.  Remember there’s no excuse—Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.  The SAFE Coalition recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving.

·         Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.

·         Designate a sober driver to get home safely.

·         Call a friend or family member for a ride if you have been drinking. 

·         If you see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. 

·         If you know people who are about to drive or ride after drinking, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.

Know the Facts about Boating & Drinking

Operating a Motorboat or Sailboat While Intoxicated –Boaters are reminded that alcohol reduces reaction time and the ability to make quick, sound judgments in an emergency situation. Also, the wind, the sun, glare off the water, and water movement multiplies the effects of alcohol.  The current blood alcohol level for boating while intoxicated (BWI) is .08 percent – the same as a motor vehicle as of July 2011. 

Operating a motorboat or sailboat while under the influence of alcohol (.08 alcohol level or higher), a controlled substance, or another illegal chemical is unlawful. For the purpose of BWI, "operating a motorboat" means the motorboat is powered by a motor that is running. For the purposes of BWI, "operating a sailboat" means the sailboat is either powered by a motor that is running or has sails hoisted and is underway. Operators who are impaired may be required to take tests by an enforcement officer to determine their sobriety. Anyone refusing to test will be charged a penalty.  All navigable waters in the state of Iowa will be subject to the new law, except farm ponds and privately owned lakes.

First Offense: A Serious Misdemeanor – A serious misdemeanor can result in the following punishments:

• Imprisonment in the county jail for at least 48 hours.
• Assessment of a fine up to $1,000.
• Loss of boat operating privileges for one year.
• Assignment to a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a course for drinking drivers.

Second Offense: An Aggravated Misdemeanor – An aggravated misdemeanor can result in the following punishments:

• Imprisonment in county jail or community-based correctional facility for at least seven days.
• Assessment of a $1,500 to $5,000 fine.
• Loss of boat operating privileges for two years.
• Assignment to a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a course for drinking drivers.

Third Offense: A Class "D" Felony – A class "D" felony can result in the following punishments:

• Imprisonment in the county jail for 30 days to one year.
• Assessment of a $2,500 to $7,500 fine.
• Loss of boat operating privileges for six years.
• Assignment to a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a course for drinking drivers.

 Consequences of Refusing to Test – Refusing to submit to a breath or chemical test can result in a $500 fine and a one-year suspension of boat operating privileges. If the offender, during the second offense, refuses to submit to a test, a $1,000 fine will be assigned plus suspension of boat operating privileges. Third-time offenders will receive a $2,000 fine and suspension of boat operating privileges. 

Questions & Answers
Can I drink alcohol on the boat?  Yes, consuming alcohol is permissible on the boat, but remember the operator is not to be under the influence.

Will a boating while intoxicated (BWI) offense affect my driver's license?  No, a boating while intoxicated (BWI) offense will not be transferred to your automobile driving records.

How much alcohol can I consume to be considered legally drunk?  That depends on the individual. Use extra precaution while drinking on the boat because sun, wind and movement can quickly amplify the effects of alcohol and disorient the operator or passengers.

The information for this article came from the Iowa DNR website. For more information contact Iowa Department of Natural Resources at 515-281-5918 or at webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov