Edmond liquor law curbs teen drinking, officials say

Law enforcement officials said Edmond is a safer place one year after a law went into effect that makes it illegal for adults to allow underage drinking on their property.

Monday, January 21st 2008, 10:39 am

By: News 9

Associated Press

EDMOND, Okla. -- Law enforcement officials said Edmond is a safer place one year after a law went into effect that makes it illegal for adults to allow underage drinking on their property.

Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of the social host law in Edmond, the first city in Oklahoma to pass such a law. Since then, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Shawnee, Tecumseh, Yukon and Ponca City have enacted similar ordinances.

Police Chief Bob Ricks said Edmond is a safer place because of the social host ordinance. Ricks said there are fewer underage drinkers on the road and he sees no downsides to the law.

Edmond's ordinance is patterned after a law in San Diego that stood up to scrutiny during several court challenges.

Oklahoma is 1 of 20 states with criminal laws addressing underage drinking.