As prom and graduation parties are being planned, the Groton Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (GASP) is encouraging residents to take steps to prevent underage drinking and drug use.

“We know more now about the harms of underage drinking and drugs on the developing brain," Carolyn Wilson, GASP coordinator and Health Program coordinator at Ledge Light Health District, said in a statement. "Most people don’t know the brain develops until age 25. We want our youth to protect themselves and their bright futures. You can have fun and make great memories with your friends without drugs and alcohol.”

Wilson advises parents to be clear about their expectations. A 2018 survey shows that 91 percent of Groton teens say they think their parents would disapprove of them using alcohol, while 69 percent of Groton teens say their parents have clear rules for them, according to a news release.

Local schools host drug and alcohol-free graduation parties every year; tips for hosting safe teen parties can be found at www.grotonprevents.org.

The Social Host Law in Connecticut prohibits anyone who owns or controls private property, including a dwelling unit, from recklessly, or with criminal negligence, permitting anyone under age 21 to illegally possess alcohol in the unit or on the property. Existing law prohibits knowingly allowing such possession.

The law also requires any such person who knows that a minor possesses alcohol illegally to make reasonable efforts to stop it, according to a release from the group. The act extends liability for failure to halt possession to a person who acts recklessly or with criminal negligence. The act increases the penalty for a violation to a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum on one year in prison and up to a $2,000 fine.

“The City of Groton Police Department takes underage drinking and drug violations very seriously," Police Chief Mike Spellman said in a statement. "The younger a person is when he or she starts using alcohol or drugs, the greater the risk of problems later in life. The City of Groton Police Department will continue to actively enforce underage drinking and drug laws, including compliance checks and DUI enforcement. We will be out doing extra enforcement during prom and graduation season. The safety of our residents, especially youth, is a priority. We encourage parents to play a role in preventing underage alcohol and drug use."

Spellman advised parents to communicate with children about the negative effects of drugs, establish curfews, monitor children's activities and clearly communicate their expectations of no drug use or alcohol use under 21. He also encouraged parents to use social media to reach out to other parents in the community to keep each other up to date on plans.

Groton has a party patrol hotline to report parties with underage drinking or drug use. The Party Patrol Hotline is (860) 445-5291 (housed at Groton Town Police Department) or City of Groton Police in-house dispatch at (860) 445-2451.