Oak Park focuses on teen drinking

Minors caught drinking are not the only ones in trouble. Owners of homes where the drinking took place are also responsible, whether they were present at the time or not, according to a "social host" ordinance Ventura County passed last April.

To help parents understand their responsibilities under the new law, the Oak Park High School Parent Faculty Club is hosting a presentation at 7 p.m., tonight, Thurs., Jan. 25 in the school's pavilion, 899 Kanan Road. The event is free and open to the public.

Among the issues to be addressed are "Is your teen drinking?" and "Where does your liability begin and end?"

Speakers will include Capt. Bill Flannigan of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department; attorney Lyle Greenberg; Dr. Jeff Nalin, psychologist and founder of Echo Malibu Youth Treatment Center; and Danny White, an Echo Malibu graduate.

The community needs to understand how the law has changed in the county, said Andie Matis, Parent Faculty Club vice president of programs.

"Learn your host and your teen's responsibilities if the police are called to an underage drinking incident on your property," Matis said. "Let's keep our neighborhood safe and informed."

- - Sophia Fischer