Party season for teens, worries for parents

In this season of prom and graduation parties, parents are looking for ways to protect their kids from the risks of alcohol abuse. Fortunately, they have options.
Some parents think they're doing the right thing by making it possible for their teens to drink without driving, perhaps hosting a party in their home or facilitating one at another location. But safety advocates point out, there are legal penalties for hosting a party for underage drinkers or supplying their alcohol.
The public education effort called "Draw the Line" is aimed at curbing teen alcohol abuse. It involves the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control, and several other state and grassroots organizations. Their website includes advice for parents during graduation season. It also has fact sheets on legal penalties for serving alcohol to young people and new research on how alcohol physically damages a young brain, in different ways than it affects an adult.