Speak Out: Does South Carolina Need Social Host Laws?

Does South Carolina need a Social Host law to help combat underage drinking?

Michelle Nienhius, Prevention Consultant with the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services said that many states and local governments are seeing “very good results” from having Social Host ordinances.

“We do not have a state law in South Carolina, however we do know of some local ordinances out there,” she said.

Social Host laws and ordinances target those who host “the event, the party.”

“Even if they're not directly providing the alcohol, they're providing the place for it to be consumed, and if they're knowingly providing the place for it to be consumed, then they could be held liable and have to pay some fines and fees and things like that,” Nienhius said.

“A lot of local communities and counties are looking at potential social host ordinances,” she continued. “The only thing we have remotely close to that in South Carolina is around lodging establishments, whether it be hotel rooms or whether it be, some of our state parks have the cabins around them. Anywhere where there's a lodging establishment, if someone rents that room and then allows someone under the age of 21 to have a party there, they could be held liable for that.”

Speak Out: Does South Carolina need a Social Host law or are the current laws addressing underage drinking and those who provide alcohol to minors ? 

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