Teenage parties have long been part of Westport — and American — life.
But several recent ones have caused local leaders to take notice.
An email sent yesterday on behalf of 1st selectman Kevin Christie — and signed by Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice, Police Chief David Farrell, and 4 other town officials who work with youth — said that since September, Westport Police have responded to 7 “large scale” parties, each with over 100 teenagers.
One had “several hundred teens, including middle school students.”
(Stock photo)
When they were shut down, “many teens walked in the dark to reconvene at other homes and local businesses.”
Several young people were hospitalized for “severe alcohol intoxication.” Arrests were made for assault and “social hosting.”
Police and Christie call this “a troubling rise in large, unsafe gatherings of youth where alcohol and other substances are present.”
Police Captain Jillian Cabana adds, “This is a larger problem than just a year ago. Social media like Snapchat can quickly turn a small gathering into a large, unmanageable event. We encourage residents to call us for assistance when a situation is beyond their control.”
Police cite risks, including driving under the influence, walking in streets in the dark, alcohol poisoning, potential for assault, and risk of property damage.
The Westport Prevention Coalition — whose members include parents and professionals, with representatives from the Aspetuck Health District, Positive Directions, the Police Department, Westport Public Schools, and Westport Human/Youth Services — urges “parents to talk with their teens now, and make clear safety plans together.”
Kevin Godburn, director of Westport Youth Services, recommends teaching children “refusal skills” starting at an early age. “It’s also critical to have an agreed-upon exit strategy for risky situations,” he says.
Parents are also at risk. Connecticut’s Social Host Law holds adults responsible when youngsters consume alcohol or use cannabis on their property – even if the adults were unaware that it was happening.
Social hosting is punishable by up to a year in prison — with fines of up to $2,000 per youth involved.
However, Positive Directions prevention director Margaret Watt says, “It’s not just about following the law. Research shows that early substance use can damage teens’ brain development, and increase the risk of mental illness and addiction.”
The Police and Westport Prevention Coalition encourage parents to “create their own zero-tolerance policies for underage drinking and cannabis use.” The Coalition offers free resources such as Operation Parent books, lock bags for safe storage of prescription drugs and adult-use marijuana, and liquor stickers to deter access to alcohol at home.
For more information, email Watt (mwatt@positivedirections.org) or Godburn (kgodburn@westportct.gov).
In addition to Christie, Farrell and Scarice, the email was signed by:
- Elaine Daignault, director, Westport Human Services
- Kevin Godburn, program director, Westport Youth/Human Services
- Luci Bango, director of health, Aspetuck Health District
- Margaret Watt, prevention director, Positive Directions — The Center for Prevention & Counseling
In the 1970s, the legal drinking age in Connecticut was 18. This photo appeared in the 1975 Staples High School yearbook.
