The developers behind a proposed ordinance in Santa Maria are hoping to dispel some stereotypes about underage drinking and smoking, while aiming to better prevent both activities.
During a survey of high school juniors in schools throughout Santa Maria in 2020, 29 to 30 percent of the survey respondents reported using alcohol and marijuana, and 40 to 45 percent of those students said the substances were obtained during a social gathering.
The survey was conducted by Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, and its results prompted the nonprofit to propose adding new language to Santa Maria’s municipal code.
“A lot of our young people are not getting their alcohol and marijuana from some nefarious drug dealer on the corner. They’re getting it from somebody in their home or at a family member or extended family member’s party,” Executive Director Edwin Weaver said. “A lot of them say they get it from their family, in their home, or at a party.”
The proposed “social host ordinance,” drafted by Santa Maria city staff with input from Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, would impose a civil fine—ranging between $100 and $500—on persons responsible for hosting gatherings where alcohol and marijuana are consumed by or served to underage youth. The ordinance’s first reading met with unanimous approval from members of the Santa Maria City Council on Oct. 4.
The term “social host” in the ordinance refers to any person, regardless of age, responsible for creating, causing, or permitting the consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, or marijuana at a residence, business, or other gathering location, according to the staff report.
The report also states that more than 150 cities in California have implemented similar ordinances.
“We’ve researched other ordinances throughout the state and landed on the language that we’re using,” said Weaver, who added that one of the most important aspects of the ordinance is the education component, specifically for parents and guardians who allow underage drinking and smoking in their homes.
“It’s not to punish parents. … We’re not hoping that a bunch of tickets get written. … It’s really to be able to start a conversation with parents,” Weaver said. “You’re not doing them [youth] any favors by saying, ‘Oh, well … I want them to drink in my own home, so they’ll be safe.’ That’s actually not true over the long term. … Young people who start drinking at the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop an alcohol dependence than those that wait until they’re 21.”
In an email to the Sun, Santa Maria Police Chief Marc Schneider described the social host ordinance as a platform for underage drinking and smoking prevention and a “tool for education, to support parents, and police officers,” as violations of the regulation would be treated as enforceable, finable infractions.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2022.
