People will drink at a party even if it's unbeknownst to the host, or even against the host's wishes. Some things just can't be controlled. This is one of them.

Just this weekend our house & neighborhood was turned upside down by 18 & 21 year olds who thought it would be fun to pound on our door @ 3:40 in the morning. Not only did they do this to our house but our neighbors as well, @ another house a mailbox was destroyed. The police did a great job of arriving on the scene VERY quick but what didn't happen is any follow through. My neighbor & I both thought that someone was trying to break into our house. Had I not gone to the police station to check things out myself the next day I never would have known the actual truth. Hosting minors & allowing them to drink is never the right idea. If your not responsible & checking in on your minors party to make sure that's it a safe environment then you shouldn't be hosting.

I should make my comment more clear. The police did an excellent job. They were here in a snap & stayed in the surrounding neighborhood looking for the involved parties. All involved except for 1 were from Westford. I think it was the responsibility of our neighbor to follow up w/us. I am not perfect and I make mistakes all the time but when my mistakes affect others I will alway try to acknowledge my ownership in my mistake.

Is this Patch for Westwood or Westford?

Kids are smart, but hopefully adults are smarter. If not we might as well give up now. The main question seems to derive from a matter of responsibility. Is a host responsible for what happens on their property or property for which they are responsible. I think the answer is, yes. Without a law it seems only a minor will be responsible. Is that smart?
A host that allows underage-drinking and driving has either allowed it to happen knowingly or unknowingly. If knowingly this person is certainly liable for the actions of a minor in a vehicle, to what extent can be determined in court. If unknowingly this person's competence has to be questioned. If a host of a party believes that a minor there will drink and drive that host needs to address that possibility.

You bring up a great point with driving. I think that when there are cars involved, and people are going in and out of the house, it's good to have anyone who's driven to leave their keys with host, that way when they want to leave, they'll have to get through that final check before they can get their keys and drive home. One thing kids won't be smart about is hiding the fact that they've been drinking after the fact, as they are likely inexperienced and new to the feeling. Even grownups are bad at acting sober most of the time. It really comes down to the circumstance. I don't believe that a parent should breathe down their kids necks at all times, because that's just embarrassing, and you don't want to embarrass your kids in front of their friends, but I also think they should have a good idea of what's going on under their roofs. It's a pretty gray area, and there's no wonder why it's an ongoing issue.

No, I didn't bring it up. Underage drinking "and" driving is the whole point of the ruling by the court. With such a law it would be a gray area settled in courts, without a law it is clear: the host is not responsible for a minor they supply with alcohol who then drives and causes injuries or death. Also, we aren't just talking about parents but hosts who can be adult friends of minors.

You're very polite Paul. Really the question in the poll should be reworded.

Well, the poll isn't scientific. To be less confusing maybe some time should pass until the issue is newsworthy again. (Unfortunately that will probably be when there is a terrible accident.)