Review of Social Host Policies Focused on Underage Drinking Parties: Suggestions for Future Research

• NCJ Number: 239045
• Journal: Journal of Drug Education Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: 2012 Pages: 99-117
• Author(s): Kimberly G. Wagoner, Dr.Ph., M.P.H.; Vincent T. Francisco, Ph.D.; Michael Sparks, M.A.; David Wyrick, Ph.D.; Tracy Nichols, Ph.D.; Mark Wolfson, Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2012
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-AH-FX-K011
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effectiveness of social host policies used by State and local communities to deter underage drinking.

Abstract

Underage drinking continues to be a public health concern, partially due to the ease in which adolescents obtain alcohol and consume it in private locations. States and municipalities have implemented strategies to counteract this, including adopting public policies called social host policies, despite limited evidence of effectiveness. Traditionally, these laws have held adults accountable for furnishing alcohol to underage drinkers. However, States and communities are using another policy, also called social host, to deter underage drinking parties where easy access to alcohol and high-risk use occurs. These innovative laws hold individuals who control the property accountable for underage drinking that occurs there, regardless of alcohol source. The authors conducted a critical analysis of social host policies focused on hosting underage drinking parties and constructed a conceptual model to understand their targeted factors. Future research recommendations are discussed. (Published Abstract)