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The Canadiaen Champion, Tuesday, March 12, 2002-7 MHigh schools thinking twice CATC "fùfiasër Apr. 2 Ta lselgp rasse Muds for nental liemithis ta ajoint venture with Theatre Aquarsus JJ about graduation parties f=b e* eRw4ofi due to concerns of liability *ü .maPU o a$ By MELANIE CUMMINGS Special ta The Champion Higis school graduates organiz- mng year-end parties have liability on their mninds more so than what to Wear and how to get to the party in style. lnvestigating insurance policies is the first order of business for White Osks Grad Commite organizers Flynn Bevan, Ankita Modi and Jordon Vescisesler. Tise trio's eyes were opened to, the legal implications of their party-planning ut a workshop held last Tuesday as Rattlesnake Point Golf Club. Organized by the Ftslton Region Healtis Department, it was thse third year runming for the workshop enti- tled 'Party in the Righsi Spirit'. The morning information ses- sions focused on decreasing risky behaviours especially around alco- hol use as much-hyped grsduation events. The three students have planned a graduation party for July 2 at the Atlantis Pavillon in Ontario Place. So far they have sold 145 tickets to the event and because most of thc guests will be 19 years old, tisere wilI be a cash bar. 1I think we'U have to, go back to the owner of thc hall and ask about their responsibilulses and ours for ensuring there's no drinldng and driving, or overuse," said Ms Bevan. According lu Hallun's substance abuse programn manager Kalhy Miller, many isigis scisools have pullcd out of organizing festive events for fear of liability. White Ouku HigIs School in Oakvillc is one such example - which is why ils grad organizing commîrnttee has booked Uic Ontario Place venue. Potential for legal action kn Ms Miller's presentalion on liability sise provided existing cours cases to, demonstrale Uic impact such parties have isad on some hosis and organizers. A 17-ycar-old who drank too much alcohol ut a home party, vomitcd and Uicn found a bcd in the house 10, slccp in. She was laser found dcad from, alcoisol poison- ing. The parents of Uic hoot werc foussd hiable because despile Uhir beol efforts in keeping Uic party small -wiUi only 50 inviîed guess and hiring a security guard to take the graduates' keys at the door as a prevenlion for drink- mng and drivmng, they did provide alcohol to, the partygoers. It's illegal so provide alcohol to people under the age of 19 in Ontario. "A lot of people don't realize alcohol poisoning is a risk - 4,000 students die in the U.S. annually of alcohol poisoning (there are no Canadian statistics) which is more than die of drunk driving," said Ms Miller. lIn another case, a 17-year-old was left a quadriplegic following a fight hie started while drmnk at a parly at his best friend's farm. Neither lthe host nor his father pro- vided alcohol as ibis party, but 300 people attended. The farmer was found hiable and ordered to, pay $700,000 sinsply because he was deemed thse "host" of tise party. Followmng Ms Miller's presenta- tion, the threesome fromn White Oaks High School immedialely fisheil out a pamphlet on the suis- ject of liability mosurance that was included in each of the packages given to, the 100 students who attended the seminar. "We're tisink- ing we may need to, get legal advice on this event we're putting together," said Ms Modi. 1Goodlife is a proud sponsor of. 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