Highway Patrol: Don’t Drink and Prom

ZANESVILLE, Ohio-With prom season right around the corner, law enforcement agencies are reminding students and parents about the dangers of underage drinking.

Zanesville Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Kelley said it’s illegal for you to buy alcohol for anyone under the age of 21. He said he wants everyone to have a good time at prom and you don’t need alcohol to make that happen.

“We try to stress to the parents it’s illegal for them to provide alcohol even at a safe location. There are pretty stiff penalties involved if you are caught doing that. Also, we try to express that there could be young people standing outside of establishments attempting to get you to purchase them alcohol. That’s against the law,” said Kelley.

Kelley warned it’s illegal for parents to serve alcohol to anyone under 21 who is not your child. He said for those going to prom, the state highway patrol stresses safety.

“Don’t let that might be the end of your life. This is one of the things we want to stress. Wear your safety belts, plan ahead, obviously we know there are some people that are going to drink. If you decide that you’re going to do that, stay where you’re at. I highly encourage against that, but we say that all the time, and sometimes people don’t listen to that,” said Kelley.

Kelley said it’s illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive with a blood alcohol level of point zero two or higher.