Mothers Against Drunk Driving is supporting a proposed "social host liability law" in the state Legislature as part of a campaign to prevent underage drinking. MADD urges liability law
for underage drinkingThe bill holds adults responsible
if they provide alcohol to anyone under 21Star-Bulletin staff
The bill, Senate Bill 1234, would hold adults civilly responsible for providing alcohol to anyone under age 21 who kills or injures someone while driving drunk.
"We believe that a social host law is a critical component in convincing parents and other adults to help protect our youth from the dangerous consequences of alcohol consumption," Yvonne Nelson, MADD-Hawaii president, said Thursday.
The organization announced a media campaign with the Lieutenant Governor's Office and state Department of Health aimed at preventing underage drinking.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona proclaimed April Alcohol Awareness Month and will represent Hawaii in the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse's program Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free.
Aiona praised efforts by the state and MADD to protect youths from dangers of underage drinking, saying, "We need to work as a community to ensure the future of Hawaii -- our children -- are kept alcohol-free."
Five people ages 13 to 31 died March 18 in a crash just outside of Haleiwa.
The driver, 22, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.142 percent, almost double the legal limit of 0.08 percent for driving under the influence, according to the Honolulu medical examiner.
"In light of recent tragic events on Hawaii's roadways involving kids and alcohol, we are now dedicated more than ever to the prevention of underage drinking and look forward to the day when all youth in the state are protected from the dangers of alcohol," Nelson said.
MADD's new campaign will include a series of 60-second public service announcements on radio, newspaper and magazine advertisements, a 30- second TV public service announcement, milk carton side panels and ads running in theaters.
State Health Director Chiyome Fukino said the 2000 Hawaii Student Alcohol and Drug Use Survey indicated that within 30 days before the survey, 9 percent of sixth-graders had used alcohol, 22 percent of eighth-graders, 33 percent of 10th-graders and "an astounding 43 percent" of seniors.
She said a person who begins drinking as a young teen is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who does not use alcohol until adulthood.
The new campaign will emphasize consequences of buying alcohol by youths and buying for and selling to youths, as well as dangers of drinking, alcohol enforcement operations and legislative activities.
Parents and the public will be targeted with messages seeking their cooperation to help children make tough decisions about health and drinking.
David Wiley, whose wife was killed because of an underage drunken driver Jan. 2, 2001, and their daughter Kayla attended the campaign's kickoff in the governor's office.
"Lorrie-Ann would still be here if the youth driving the car that hit her had been educated to make better choices about alcohol and drinking and driving," he said.
The Senate Human Services Committee, in a report on the proposed social host liability law, said a Hawaii Youth Summit sponsored by MADD-Hawaii in 2000 recommended increasing education and liability of parents and other adults who provide alcohol to minors.
MADD Hawaii
