For Parents
TARGET 21 is for parents and other adults who care about our youth and want to protect them from the devastating effects that alcohol can have on their lives.
Health Focused
TARGET 21 focuses on healthy adolescent development as a main reason "why" our youth should delay the onset of alcohol use until at least the legal age of 21.
Knowledge Based
TARGET 21 captures and reports accurate data regarding current underage drinking trends in our community as well as effective prevention strategies to protect our youth.
On November 22, 2011 the Irvine City Council passed a social host ordinance (SHO), which holds those who furnish alcohol to minors accountable. On December 22, 2011 the ordinance took effect. The Irvine Prevention Coalition’s Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force (UDPTF) has prepared this brief summary regarding Irvine’s Social Host Ordinance for parents and other adults.
- The Ordinance
- Fines
- Additional Fines and Liability
Irvine City Council Ordinance No. 11-15
It is unlawful to host or cause or allow a party, gathering or event to occur at any residence or private property at which any underage person is being served, is in possession of, or is consuming an alcoholic beverage, if the responsible person or host knows or reasonably should know that an underage person is being served, is in possession of, or is consuming an alcoholic beverage.
The host is presumed to have knowledge that an underage person was being served, was in possession of, or was consuming an alcoholic beverage at a party, gathering or event if the responsible person or host did not take all reasonable steps to prevent such activity from occurring. Reasonable steps include without limitation:
- Controlling the access to and serving of alcoholic beverages to underage persons,
- Monitoring the responsible, safe and lawful conduct of underage persons.
Administrative Fines Imposed
Each separate violation is subject to the issuance of an administrative Notice of Violation to each responsible person and host. Each separate violation shall, in addition to any police services fee that may be assessed pursuant to this chapter, be subject to the following administrative fines:
- First Violation: $750
- Second Violation: $1,500
- Third Violation: $3,000
Additional Fines and Civil Liability
The penalties imposed under Irvine’s Social Host Ordinance do not preclude prosecution, the imposition of penalties, or civil liablitiy under any provision of law including, but not limited to:
- California Civil Code Section 1714(d) - provides that a claim against: (1) a parent, guardian, or another adult (2) who knowingly furnishes alcoholic beverages at his or her residence to a person under 21 years of age and (3) that furnishing the alcoholic beverages may be found to be the proximate cause of resulting personal injuries, death, or property damage to the person who was served the alcohol or to other persons.
- CA Assembly Bill 1658 - imposes harsher penalties for people who provide an alcoholic beverage to minors, for people who manufacture or provide fake I.D.’s, and for minors who purchase or who are in possession of an alcoholic beverage.
- Section 272 of the Penal Code - contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Preventing Youth Access to Alcohol is Key
Environmental prevention strategies focus on use of public policy to change the physical, social, and political context in which problem behaviors occur. Whether or how much adults and young people drink is shaped by community norms and expectations, as well as the access and availability of alcohol.
Similar to the demonstrated success of reducing smoking by limiting availability of tobacco and smoking in public places, the research on alcohol is clear: shifting norms and reducing access to alcohol impacts the rates of underage drinking in addition to related problems among youth and adults.
Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking
Funding for the TARGET 21 campaign is provided by a federal Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking - STOP Act Grant in response to the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to prevent and reduce underage drinking. The Irvine Prevention Coalition (IPC) was selected as one of the first STOP Act grant recipients. This four year grant focuses on environmental prevention strategies that are consistent with the City of Irvine's Strategic Plan for Children, Youth and Families and the Irvine Prevention Coalition's Strategic Plan.
The TARGET 21 campaign...
TARGET 21 focuses on brain based research and healthy adolescent development. We believe that parents want credible information from credible sources. They also want to know that they are not alone when setting clear rules and expectations with their children.
