Safe Homes
Parents and caregivers have a vital role in this mission. Research tells us that parents and caregivers have a huge impact on whether our children choose to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. The behaviors we model and the messages we send help our children craft their own messages and influence their behavior more powerfully than we may think or expect. We invite you to join us as members of the Safe Homes of Chatham County. As a Safe Homes participant, you are pledging to create a healthy community one house at a time. Help create a healthy home and community.
Safe Homes Pledge
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I will not knowingly allow underage youth (under 21) to consume or use alcohol or illegal drugs at my home, on my property, or at gatherings I am hosting at other locations.
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I will provide reasonable adult supervision when hosting gatherings of underage youth at my home or on my property.
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When I am out of town, I will not knowingly allow my children to host parties at my home.
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I will make every effort to lock and safely store alcohol, medication and inhalants keeping them out of the wrong hands.
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I will make every effort to secure weapons according to the law.
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I will talk to my youth about the dangers of underage drinking, drugged driving and use of medications not intended for them.
Do you know The Law?
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1. According to North Carolina General Statute NCGS 18B-302(a), as a parent/guardian, you cannot legally give alcohol to any child, including your own, who is under the age of 21, even in your own residence, even with another parent’s permission, no matter what the circumstance.
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2. NCGS 14-316.1: 18B-302(c) specifies that you can not knowingly allow an underage person consume or possess alcohol in your residence, even if you did not purchase the alcohol.
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3. All weapons in your home must be secured according to the child access prevention/safe storage law, NCGS 14-315.1.
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State Law § 18B-302. Sale to or purchase by underage persons.
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Underage Drinking - NC Dept. of Public Safety
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Talk It Out NC - Legal Consequences of Providing Alcohol to Minors
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Social Host Liability
Social host liability refers to the imposition of civil penalties against adults who provide alcohol to minors if injuries are caused by those minors. According to The Journal of Legal Studies in Business, the North Carolina Supreme Court in Hart v. Ivey (1992) held that social hosts in North Carolina are subject to negligence claims by victims of intoxicated guests. The North Carolina Supreme Court determined that negligence principles will apply to all social host situations. A host of a party, then can be found civilly liable for damages caused by a guest who consumes alcohol and then causes damage.
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Additional legislation concerning underage drinking can be found at:
§ NCGS 18B-302 – Sale to or purchase by underage persons
§ NCGS 18B-302.1. Penalties for certain offenses related to underage persons.
Good Samaritin 911
If one is aware that the victim and caller are protected from prosecution in the event of an overdose, many deaths from opioid misuse disorder and substance abuse can be prevented. The NC 911 Good Samaritan Laws state that individuals who experience a drug overdose or persons who witness an overdose and seek help for the victim can no longer be prosecuted for possession of small amounts of drugs, paraphernalia, or underage drinking.
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Good Samaritan Law - Session Law 2013-23 - Senate Bill 20
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Safe Stores
Promoting a county-wide effort to reduce youth access to alcohol and tobacco via retail outlets. A SAFE STORE will have ALL sales staff trained in responsible alcohol and tobacco sales. They will ask to see the ID of anyone who looks to be under the age of 30 who is purchasing alcohol or tobacco products.
Promoting a county-wide effort to reduce youth access to alcohol and tobacco via retail outlets. A SAFE STORE will have ALL sales staff trained in responsible alcohol and tobacco sales. They will ask to see the ID of anyone who looks to be under the age of 30 who is purchasing alcohol or tobacco products.
Fatal Vision Distracted Driving
Fatal Vision is one strategy used to prevent drugged, drunk and distracted driving. Fatal vision goggles and golf carts create a realistic experience in which youth gain first-hand information about the risk and dangers of drugged and distracted driving. Fatal Vision is one part of a county-wide effort to reduce underage drinking and drugged and distracted driving.
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The Pittsboro Police Department, Chatham County Sheriff's Department, and the Chatham County Schools have worked together to provide this program to every student in the Chatham County Schools that participate in driver's education.
If you are a local agency interested in hosting the Fatal Vision Drugged driving Program, please contact the Sheriff's Office.
Medication Abuse Prevention - Learn where to dispose of Unwanted Medications
