Contact:         Melissa Pryor-Reed, Public Information Officer

                  Office of the Kenton County Attorney

                        859.491.0600

                        mpryor-reed@kentoncoatty.com

Covington, KY – As prom and graduation celebrations begin to unfold for high school students, Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson sent a letter to area schools in Kenton County advising student, parents, faculty and staff of the legal consequences of underage drinking.   The information has also been distributed to Kenton County Police Chiefs and Mayors.

Under Kentucky law, you must be twenty-one years of age in order to purchase or consume alcohol.  Even if teens are supervised and have the approval of an adult, it remains illegal for a minor to consume alcohol.  “My office will prosecute parents or adults who facilitate minor’s consumption of alcohol,” Edmondson warned.  “We will seek the maximum punishment that the law provides.” 

The letter reminds parents it is a criminal offense to permit underage drinking on private or public property if the parent knew, or should have known, about the drinking.  Penalties for this offense can range from a $250 fine per violation to a $500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.  In addition to criminal prosecution, parents are subject to severe civil suits in case of personal injury or property damage.

Holy Cross High School Principal Clay Eifert, among other principals in Kenton County schools, uses this letter to emphasize the importance of safety.  “This letter gives additional credibility to the message that we portray to our students on a regular basis,” Eifert said.  “Again this morning during school announcements, I advised students to avoid alcohol and other substances.”  Nearly 200 students from Holy Cross High School will celebrate their school’s prom this Saturday night.

For more information, contact Melissa Pryor-Reed at 859.491.0600 or via mobile at 859.640.6103.  (Note to media:  Minor Consumption letter attached.)

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