District Attorney Ryan Hosts Forum for Belmont Parents on Teens and Alcohol
BELMONT – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan recently hosted an important education forum for parents in Belmont about teens and alcohol use.
“As parents, our relationships with our children change over time,” said District Attorney Ryan, a Belmont resident and mother of two. “When they are young, we keep them safe and protect them from the outside world. Now, as our teenagers are exploring young adulthood and its freedoms, there is a responsibility on the part of both children and parents to communicate, respect each other, and set clear expectations of behavior.”
The program, held for parents at Belmont High School, was presented by District Attorney Ryan and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc.
The presentation focused on how parents can improve communication with their children and serve as important role models regarding alcohol use and abuse. The program also discussed the state’s Social Host Liability Law and its potential impacts on those who provide alcohol to minors. A parent could be held liable for someone drinking underage in their home even if they did not specifically provide the alcohol.
Parents were reminded to be vigilant if their son or daughter is having friends over or hosting a party, including regularly check in on teenagers, monitor what teens are bringing into the home, such as water bottles or sports bottles, and to talk openly about dangers of alcohol, substance abuse and drinking and driving.
In addition to hearing from the District Attorney, the event also featured Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin and Belmont High School Principal Daniel Richards. The forum was also sponsored by the Belmont High School PTO.
Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc. is a non-profit organization which provides prevention and intervention resources and training to Middlesex school districts and communities. District Attorney Ryan is the chair of the MPY Board of Directors.
Through the efforts of District Attorney Ryan and MPY, educators, parents, and students can regularly engage in collaborative trainings with law enforcement, social services, and community-based organizations as well as share the latest information and resources. Such interactions provide the foundation for creating solution-oriented, community-based, multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing youth violence, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, hate crimes, and harassment across Middlesex County.
For more information on prevention and intervention programs hosted by the Middlesex District Attorney visit http://middlesexda.com/
Middlesex County is the largest county in Massachusetts and one of the largest counties in the country with 54 towns and cities and 26 colleges in urban, suburban, and rural areas, comprising over one quarter of the population of Massachusetts. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has offices throughout the county, including in Ayer, Cambridge, Concord, Framingham, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Newton, Somerville, Waltham and Woburn.