Westfield Community Coalition

(Download Safe & Drug Free Parent Agreement)

Dear Parents:

It has come to the attention of the Westfield Community Coalition that underage drinking is a problem in our community. It is disheartening that there are some adults, parents and establishments willing to provide alcoholic beverages for teenage drinking parties. These adults operate, in part, on the assumption that their only responsibility is to prevent drunken teens from driving and that teenage drinking is a “rite of passage.”

According to the Virginia Alcohol Laws, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess any alcoholic beverage. It is also illegal for adults to allow (aid and abet) underage persons to possess or consume alcohol.  This includes purchasing and/or providing the alcohol.  These violations are Class 1 Misdemeanors punishable by one year in jail, and/or 50 hours community service, and/or $2500.00 fine. Teens can lose their driver’s license for up to a full year. Virginia has a Zero Tolerance Law making driving under the influence of any amount of alcohol a serious criminal offense for drivers under age 21.

Alcohol is the drug of choice for Westfield teens and they will try to experiment with it. This is a fact. As responsible parents, we cannot condone this or pretend that teens aren’t drinking.  As a community, we need to provide environments where our teens can socialize without the presence of drugs or alcohol.

Please join the Westfield Community Coalition, the Westfield High School PTSA and the Sully District Police in signing this parent agreement.

As a community, let’s keep our children safe and alcohol free.

FCPS Safe and Drug-Free Youth Center Homepage

Tim Thomas                                          Susan H. Culin, Captain

Principal, Westfield HS                          Fairfax County Police

Nancy Bennett                                        Jennifer Campbell, President

Westfield Community Coalition             Westfield HS PTSA