COLUMBUS, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—With summer in full swing and schools out, the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Department of Commerce are reminding permit holders and parents about the serious implications of underage drinking laws.
Summer can present increased risks for teenagers due to more free time and reduced parental supervision, often leading to experimentation with alcohol. Studies indicate that approximately 11,000 teens on an average summer day take their first drink of alcohol, a notable increase compared to 8,000 during the academic year.
“Selling or furnishing alcohol to underage individuals, whether by a licensed business or in a private residence, isn’t just a crime — it’s a reckless act that endangers lives. This includes ‘hosting’ parties where underage drinking is permitted,” said Jamie Patton, Executive Director of the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU), a division of the Department of Public Safety. “Adults and minors alike must understand the severe consequences of underage alcohol consumption and the specific Ohio laws designed to prevent it. When an underage individual commits a crime or is involved in a serious vehicle crash after being illegally supplied with alcohol, those who provided it are equally responsible and will be held accountable.”
Alcohol also contributes to risks for teen drivers during the “100 Deadliest Days” between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a period known for a spike in teen traffic fatalities. In 2024, out of 35,247 crashes involving teens aged 15 to 19, 568 were alcohol-related, resulting in 30 fatalities, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Of these, 152 alcohol- and teen-related crashes, leading to seven fatalities, occurred during the “100 Deadliest Days.”
The OIU, Ohio’s sole law enforcement agency with authority to cite liquor permit premises for criminal violations of the Liquor Control Act, conducts compliance checks and investigates illegal alcohol sales, including underage sales, possession, consumption, and over-serving.
Parents and permit holders should be aware that OIU conducts trace-back investigations when individuals, including minors, are involved in fatal or serious injury vehicle crashes suspected of consuming alcohol or drugs at a permitted premises or private party. These investigations can lead to criminal charges against implicated individuals and liquor permit holders.
Ohio law strictly prohibits anyone under 21 from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol. Violators face fines, potential juvenile detention, and suspension of driving privileges, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Those who provide alcohol to minors can face fines up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both.
It is illegal for parents to provide alcohol to their own child and their friends, or to other children under 21, even in their own home with other parents’ permission. Civil liability also exists for hosting underage drinking parties; adults can be held liable for damages caused by an intoxicated teen if they knowingly serve or permit alcohol consumption. If a death occurs due to an intoxicated minor, hosts could face a wrongful death lawsuit.
In 2024, OIU data revealed over 850 arrests for underage drinking, with nearly 50% of the 675 arrests with unsealed details occurring during the summer months.
The Division of Liquor Control, part of the Department of Commerce, licenses and inspects nearly 28,000 businesses and thousands of nonprofit events that sell alcohol, and ensures the safe distribution of high-proof liquor.
“When it comes to alcohol, we know most Ohioans are making responsible and thoughtful decisions, especially when it comes to their children,” said Division Superintendent Jackie DeGenova. “Ohioans who witness violations of state liquor laws should report them to local law enforcement or the Ohio Investigative Unit.”
To report information about a bar, store, or carryout selling alcohol or tobacco to individuals under 21, or to report an underage house party, visit oiu.ohio.gov.