Social host evaluation protocol in Wisconsin: What does success look like?

Abstract

Underage drinking is a problem and contributes to the overall burden of excessive alcohol use. Social host ordinances (SHO) in Wisconsin aim to decrease underage alcohol consumption by targeting the social environment of youth. Social host ordinances penalize individuals who allow underage alcohol consumption to occur on property they own or control. Twenty-three professionals in the fields of public health, law enforcement, judiciary, and education, were interviewed in order to gain practical implications from current social host ordinances. Eighty-three percent of participants felt their SHO was successful because it increased community awareness of the ordinance (26%), enhanced education to parents on the dangers of hosting underage drinking parties (22%), and because citations were upheld through the judiciary system (22%).