Students, Police Work Together To Clarify Changes In Drug/Alcohol Laws

Rapidly changing laws relating to minors, alcohol, and marijuana can be confusing for the average person to  understand, says Catherine Bardon, the coalition coordinator for the Madison Alcohol and Drug Education (MADE) coalition.

"People still have a lot of confusion about the laws," said Bardon, who visited the Madison Police Department Thursday afternoon with member from the Living Intoxication Free Everday (LIFE) group at Daniel Hand High School. "The social hosting laws have changed, and the marijuana laws have changed."

Bardon said the current legislature, which just wrapped up this week, passed a medical marijuana law and another law allowing for the sale of liquor on Sundays. "They're constantly changing," she said of the laws. "That's why we're trying to get the information out to clear up any confusion and help out."

Pat Baker and Colie Fahey, members of the LIFE group, met with members of the Madison Police Department at the beginning of their afternoon shift to hand out laminated flyers that explain current statues. The officers can keep them in their cars, or hand them out to people they meet around town.

The cards explain statutes that prohibit possession of alcohol by a minor on public and private property, prohibitions agains the sale of alcohol to a minor, the prohibition against allowing minors to possess alcohol of host underage drinking parties, and related statutes.

The other side of the card outlines current penalties for marijuana possession for less than a half-ounce, one half ounce to four ounces, and more than four ounces.

The LIFE members also brought cookies for the officers, thanked them for their work, and got a tour of the police department.