"Parents Who Host, Lose The Most" campaign aims to stop parents from giving their kids alcohol

Although drinking alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal in Iowa, a survey found that 52 percent of Winneshiek County 11th graders had their first drink before they were 16.  In many cases, it was their parents who supplied the alcohol.

That's why Helping Services for Northeast Iowa teamed up with the Erase Coalition to spread awareness this spring for "Parents Who Host Lose the Most," a movement designed to spread awareness of Iowa's Social Host Law.

This law was passed in Iowa in 2014.  It placed new penalties on parents who allow minors under the age of 18 to drink alcohol on property they own or lease.  If convicted of the simple misdemeanor, they could be punished with a $200 fine.  Subsequent violations would be subject to $500 fines.

The law means parents who allow their children to host parties in which alcohol is present could be cited.