La Crosse’s mayor declares April ‘Parents Who Host, Lose the Most’ month

Effort cracks down on adults who host underage drinkers

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — As high school prom and graduation season gets underway, a warning is going out to parents about underage drinking.

La Crosse’s Mayor has declared April as “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most: Don’t be a party to Underage Drinking” month.

The declaration is a joint effort between the city, the police department, and the Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Coalition.

The purpose is to raise awareness about the consequences for adults that come with hosting underage drinkers.

Mayor Kabat also announced a proposed ordinance called “Social Host.”

The ordinance holds adults accountable for hosting underage drinking parties, regardless if parents supplied the alcohol. “It would be parents or friends of parents or anyone that hosts a party when there’s underage drinking, again just to change that mindset that it is not acceptable, it is illegal and bad things can happen and we want to prevent that,” said Mayor Kabat.

The city council approved the “Social Host” ordinance Thursday night.