It’s a hot summer night, teens are gathering, and a party is gearing up. Imagine such a gathering hosted by your son or daughter. It often starts innocently with a few friends, especially when parents are not home. Once word gets out, attendance can get out of control and alcohol appear on the scene. If that is the situation, expect some additional guests. Area law enforcement officers are serious about intervening in youth drinking parties and especially in charging adults who provide alcohol to youth. ZAP (Zero Alcohol Providers), a program of the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition and led by the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, includes over 60 trained ZAP officers from every law enforcement agency in the county.
When law enforcement is informed, a ZAP callout is issued. Officers surround the property and ask to enter the premises. If they are not allowed in, a search warrant is quickly obtained. Those determined to have been drinking will be issued a ticket and parents will be called. The youth face consequences for their drinking but the real target of this program is the adult provider. If you supply alcohol to minors, ZAP will be looking for you!
Because keeping our youth safe is the overall goal, ZAP’s focus is to identify the adult who provides alcohol to minors or who knowingly or unknowingly permits youth to drink on their property. Adults charged with this offence face serious consequences, including: a court hearing, fines, community service, probation and even jail time. And, everything becomes much more serious if such a party results in injury, harm or death.
ZAP officers are committed to enforcing the law. Rice County Deputy Sheriff Blaine Smith sums it up well: “Rice County law enforcement agencies and officers are dedicated to this program. I can only say that those who are thinking of “hosting” an event this summer involving underage drinking be forewarned that it will be dealt with promptly and aggressively. Those who are providing the alcohol or knowingly allowing underage drinkers to consume will face consequences. Officers and Deputies are not only responding to the calls but actively looking for potential cues, with the common goal of changing attitudes.”
Northfield Police Chief Mark Taylor agrees with Deputy Smith’s comments and stated that, “ZAP is a concentrated effort to impact underage drinking and access to alcohol. Our team approach can and will have an impact”.
If you know about a gathering of young people that might involve minor consumption, call 507-645-4475. You can remain anonymous if you choose.
To increase awareness of the issue, a ZAP mailing is being sent to parents of all 8th-12th graders in Northfield and Faribault school districts reminding them to talk openly with their teens about the dangers and consequences of underage alcohol use. We all need to work together to keep our kids safe.
