Should you have any other questions or concerns regarding the use of Henry 1 we suggest you contact local law enforcement or write a letter to the editor in the local news publication of your choice.

A few points regarding the Henry 1 “plat kegger”

• The Plat is privately own land.
• Fires in that area (camp, smoking or otherwise )are prohibited due to fire danger.
• The area between the Overlook Trail and The Plat is fenced off and any breaches in the fence is private property destruction (meaning you don’t have the owners permission to “hike” there).
• Should an accident, alcohol poisoning or any other emergency situation occur the owners could be held liable. Additionally, it would take a substantial amount of time (and resources) to get emergency services up to the area, delaying any necessary medical treatment which could be life threatening.  It should also be noted that if one was to “pass out” up there and be left alone no one would likely find that individual from quite some time.  This is a concern since there have been numerous instances where this has occurred in local parks and school fields.
• If anyone would like hike and see the beautiful scenery of the Sonoma Valley the Overlook Trail has graciously been maintained and made for public enjoyment and exercise.  We encourage our youth to take advantage of having such a wonderful resource available to them, however this does not mean you can breach the fence onto private property.  

November 18, 2009 6pm The Sonoma Valley Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking will present the completed draft of the Social Host Liability and Prohibition of Underage Drinking to the Sonoma City Council.  The meeting will be held at 177 First St. West, Sonoma CA

The Coalition is encouraging community members to come and show their support for the SHO.  There will be a community comment portion of the meeting and this is an excellent opportunity for community members have their voices heard.  

Additionally, this City Council meeting will also be discussing the appeal of the Type 21 Liquor License submitted by Plaza Liquors.  Plaza Liquors had their liquor license revoked in December 2008 for multiple sales to minors.  While The Coalition supports the success of local businesses and encourages Sonoma to “Buy Sonoma”  we also cannot in conscious support a business with a history of selling alcohol to underage people.  We encourage citizens to attend and speak on this matter as well.

We look forward to seeing each of you.   Thank you for your constant support of our Valley Youth.

The Social Host Ordinance will be presented to the Sonoma City Council on November 4, 2009 at 6pm.  This will be the first reading of the SHO and the council will then have the opportunity to either vote on it or give recommendations.  This will be a great opportunity to come show your support for the passage of the Social Host Ordinance.  We are highly encouraging supporters of the ordinance to come utilize the open comments portion of the City Council meeting to voice their support for the SHO.

Research Summary

Brain changes caused by drinking before age 15 could predispose adolescents to a lifetime of alcohol dependency, HealthDay Newsreported Sept. 18.

Researcher Arpana Agrawal of the Washington University School of Medicine, who studied alcohol use among twins, said that early drinking “may induce changes in the highly sensitive adolescent brain, which may also modify an individual’s subsequent genetic vulnerability” to addiction.

Agrawal found that age of first alcohol use corresponded with a greater number of alcohol dependency symptoms. Those who started drinking later in life were less likely to be dependent even if they were genetically predisposed to addiction, the study found.

The research will be published in the December 2009 issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2009/drinking-by-young-teens-may.html?log-event=sp2f-view-item&nid=56054183

The following findings area culmiation of data from The California Healthy Kids Survey, An independent survey conducted with local youth by The Coalition in conjunction with SAY, local law enforcement, Emergency Room (local) data as well as data provided by the California Department of ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control).  We hope you will find this information useful.  Thank you.

Density of Alcohol Outlets:

•       Off-sale outlets = 61

•       On-sale outlets = 68

•       Wine tasting rooms = 31

•       Total alcohol outlets = 160

•       Rate = 1 alcohol outlet for every 62 residents

2007 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS):

•       62% of 9th graders and 77% of 11th graders at SVHS reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.

•       26% of 9th graders and 37% 11th graders at SVHS reported binge drinking in the past 30 days (binge drinking being 5 or more drinks in a 2 hour period).

•       43% of 9^th graders and 59% of 11^th graders at SVHS reported having ever been very drunk or very sick after drinking.

• 35% of 5^th graders reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.

2005 Law Enforcement Data:

•       DUI arrests:  81 arrests, 20 of which were underage (25%).  Thirteen were 18-20 and seven were 17 of age or younger

•       Drunk in Public arrests:  37 people were arrested for being drunk in public.  Of those, 6 were underage (11%).

•       Underage Parties:  SVPD was called to 8 parties related to underage drinking.

Emergency Room Data:

•       In 2005, there were 43 alcohol related Emergency Room admissions at Sonoma Valley hospital for underage youth.

CA Dept. of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Statistics:

•       In 2006, the ABC made a total of 41 visits to alcohol outlets in the Sonoma Valley.  Out of the 41 visits, 9 merchants sold alcohol to the minor decoys (22% violation rate).

•       In January 2007, the ABC conducted 3 minor decoy operations, visiting a total of 59 alcohol outlets.  Out of the 59 visits, 12 merchants sold alcohol to the minor decoys (20% violation rate).

•       In December 2008, the Sonoma Police Department did their own decoy operation and found that one in three establishments sold to the decoy (33% violation rate).

•       The statewide minor decoy violation rate is 15.89%

Student Perceptions of Youth Access to Alcohol:

•       Student focus groups were conducted in October 2006 at SVHS by Bob Ruffner.  The focus groups indicated the following:

–      10% buy alcohol themselves

–      20% Steal it from a store

–      31 Given by hosts at a party

–      39% Friend buys it

•       It is easy to get someone to buy alcohol (older brother/sister, older friend, someone outside a store).  All you have to do is pay someone to buy it for you.

•       It is easy to get a fake ID

•       Stores don’t ask for IDs anyway

•       It is easier for underage girls to buy alcohol

•       Friends who know you will sell alcohol to you

•       Students indicated that they can buy alcohol from the following places:

–      10% Longs or Rite Aid

–      26% liquor store

–      31% Albertson’s or Safeway

–      33% Eleven or other mini-mart

–      Parents interviewed separately indicated similar findings

Where are youth drinking alcohol?

•       The most common areas where underage youth consume alcohol are at their home or a friend’s home, the Plaza and the “Plat.”

•       Youth have also indicated that alcohol is consumed at school events like dances and football games.

•       Some youth at SVHS consume alcohol on campus during school.  Alcohol is concealed in plastic water bottles, cans, energy drinks and thermos bottles.

•       Students at SVHS leave campus at lunch and break as well as cut class to drink alcohol.

•       Some students drink alcohol on the way to school.

•       Drinking parties often occur before dances

•       Parents provide alcohol to teens and their friends in their own homes so that they don’t “drink and drive.”

broken beer bottle in the Rock City area

For many generations in Sonoma there has been one consistent drinking spot for teenagers and that has been The Plat.  For those of you who are wondering where exactly this place is and why it is so popular, look no further.  

Where?

The Plat is located up above Mountain Cemetery above the Overlook Trail.  It is a very steep and at certain places a treacherous trail,especially in the dark and even more so while intoxicated.  Yesterday, we took a daytime hike up there and took some photos.  The trail in many place drops off into a deep and rocky ravine and this time of year the hillside is extremely dry and the fire potential is HUGE.  As you climb higher and begin to take side “deer” trails above the overlook the rocks become less stable and the trail more narrow.

Firepit

Once at the top you reach rock walls and rock sculptures created by the teens of Sonoma over the generations and further still there is a rock “cave”like pit with a fire pit.  The fire pit as well as cigarette butts/packs should be a very big concern due to the incredible fire danger that the Sonoma Valley has during summer and fall months. Let’s face it: fire and drunk teenagers – for many reasons – is a recipe for disaster.

Why?

Due to the steep incline and out of the way location it makes uninterrupted partying an easy accomplishment.  Additionally, the view from up there is one that looks over the trails leading up to the Plat and the kids can see when the police are coming with essentially a 20 minute head start escape out the back trails.  The fence line has been breached in numerous places and there are multiple trails in and out of the area.  The kids disperse down various trails and it becomes near impossible for law enforcement to catch them.  It should also be noted that while law enforcement is busy hiking up the trail to get the kids down it takes them away from their patrols down in the valley.  This could potentially create a dangerous situation in the Valley.

This breach in the fence line is along a back "trail" and leads back into Mountain Cemetery