As everyone knows, it’s illegal to drink or buy alcohol until you’re 21. But, as everyone also knows, the law doesn't seem to stop kids from getting drunk. The County Sheriff's Office says it’s time the law stepped in.
John Tryon : There's a picture of a boy. That's the last picture we'll ever get to have of him. He didn't get to be 20, he didn't get to be 21, he didn't get to be 22 this year. We live it.
John and Sue Tryon lost their 18-year-old son Eric in a 2003 car crash. Eric didn't know the driver had been drinking when he got in the car.
Alcohol related crashes are the leading cause of death among young people between 15 and 20 years old. And the statistics hit close to home.
Dianne Jacob , San Diego County Supervisor: Two weeks ago, high school students on a graduation trip, and they crashed and they will never graduate.
The San Diego County Health Department says in the past two years, 59 young people had alcohol in their system at the time of their death. So if it's illegal for them to buy booze, where are they getting it?
Tina Poole , 16, High School Junior: From friends, older brothers, parents some times.
Felicia Gomez , 17, N. Coastal Prevention Youth Coalition: You would say their friends' parents because it’s usually at houses; I've never really been to these parties, but I just heard that, I would say it would be their friends’ parents.
It's against the law to supply alcohol to minors. San Diego County and the city have social host ordinances, fining $1,000 to anyone hosting an underage drinking party.
It's a law the Sheriff's office plans to start enforcing. And police agencies throughout the county are going undercover.
Bill Gore, San Diego County Sheriff's Department: How many of you have been stopped going into a 7-11 store and maybe asked, hey buddy, will you buy me a six pack of beer? That's the type of thing, we hope the next time that happens to you that you might think about oh, that might be somebody working for the sheriff's department, or somebody working for the San Diego Police Department.
Officials say they're hoping their message gets out to teens and parents as thousands of students head out to graduation parties.
Sue Tryon : I would just urge parents especially at this time of graduation, be aware, know where your children are going after graduation. Don't be afraid to ask the tough questions, don't be afraid to go in the house, where your kids are going to see if there is keg in the backyard. That's what love is, its knowing, it's protecting.
All municipalities throughout the county, with the exception of Del Mar and Carlsbad, have those social host ordinances.
