Back in 2012 at the urging of District Attorney Jim Farrell the Sullivan County Legislature passed a Social Host Law that holds adults responsible for hosting a party where those under the age of 21 obtain alcohol, whether or not the adult host actually served those underage alcohol.
This important Law now has a name and face to it – Jared Santillo.
On Thursday, the Sullivan County Legislature with the urging of District Attorney Farrell unanimously approved the new name for the social host law. Resolving, “District Attorney and County Legislature wish to refer to the “Social Host Law” as “Jared’s Law” to honor and preserve the memory of Jared Santillo, a young Sullivan County man who died after leaving a house party where underage drinking was permitted by responsible adults.”
Nineteen-year-old Jared Santillo was killed in a truck crash last year in Orange County as he was helping an injured friend who became drunk at a house party.
Jared’s mother Goldie Moore in a heartfelt and emotional and often tearful speech before the legislature spoke about Jared and the need for the social host law.
District Attorney Jim Farrell discussing the renaming Sullivan County’s Social Law – Jared’s Law told me “I think it important to personalize the law and remind folks that underage drinking leads to tragedy. I have observed this too many times. Adults should not condone or permit underage drinking. Period. We need to lead by example and not by words. Our kids are watching us and they will do what we do, not what we say to do. I am in full support of the change and support Goldie in her quest to make sure no one else has to suffer what she is suffering right now with the loss of her son.”
On Sunday June 11, 2017 at 1 PM the Bethel Motor Speedway will be hosting a Memorial Car, Truck, Motorcycle, and Race Car Show in memory of Jared.
Goldie who is a well renowned hair stylist in Sullivan County told our legislators and the audience, “Jared Santillo was born June 12, 1997 a beautiful healthy baby boy with such smiles and strength through all his years growing up, despite many trials and tribulations, and learning disabilities.”
“Jared always tried very hard and his teachers always loved him. However, his biological father abandoned us when he was 3 years old, due to the scourge of drugs. Jared had a lot of anger and hurt and disappointments due to his father’s abandonment, but despite this, he still always behaved as a sweet angel. And as he grew up, he vowed to never be like his father.”
“Jared was in special education classes with an individual education plan, but as of 11th grade he wanted to be in regular classes focused on doing his best. He entered VOTEC BOCES to pursue a career in auto body repair, and he actually built his own car while he was in the program.”
“After graduation, he immediately began working at Prestige Towing with Sean Brooks, and even passed up a scholarship at Ohio Tech to continue working at this job he loved.”
“He was very persistent in getting this job and he took it very seriously. He was always on time, constantly learning new things, and responded positively to constructive criticism while always doing his best.”
“Whenever he had the opportunity, he would go back to his school in Monticello, to show his teachers how well he was doing, and to express his appreciation for their lessons and guidance. One summer Jared also volunteered to help his VOTEC teacher Mr. Muller on his farm”.
“Jared would always think of others before himself. For instance, without hesitation he saved his grandma from drowning in a pool, and saved my husband Jason from drowning in our lake after a jet ski accident.”
“He also saved a police officer from a DWI at one point, and he was so humble about it, he never told a soul. I only learned about this through the officer who he had helped at my son’s funeral. Jared dedicated himself as a designated driver every weekend to save lives.”
“He was a kind and loving boy who loved his siblings, always worked hard and had the personality of a good, pure angel. He was a role model and hero to his peers, and never smoked, drank, or touched drugs.”
“However, this last night as a designated driver cost him his life! He went to a party that night to watch over his 24-year-old co-worker, and bring him home safely. He wanted to take him home but his co-worker wanted to continue drinking and decided to get more beer for the party at a house in Slate Hill, where there were many underage kids drinking alcohol and raising hell.”
“All this was taking place while the parents of the young man who threw the party were home, and allowed this underage drinking to happen, all the while failing to supervise what was going on.”
“The partying got so rowdy, that the kids started a huge bonfire, and started running and jumping over it. At one point the co-worker who he drove with to the party and who had become severely intoxicated, tried to jump over the bonfire, but fell into it, seriously burning himself.”
“Upon realizing what happened, Jared immediately tried to get his intoxicated, burned co-worker into his car to take him to the hospital, but another kid who had been drinking at the party insisted he would drive them to the hospital in his truck. Jared tried to intervene, but his co-worker denied him the keys, and so Jared being who he was, accompanied them in the truck.”
“Due to alcohol, excessive speed, bald tires and rainy road conditions, my son was instantly killed when the truck skidded off the road into a tree and utility pole while they were rushing to the hospital.”
“My son’s heroism and dedication to the well being of his peers is all over due to these irresponsible parents’ violation of the social host law, and this is why I am here to respectfully request that the social host law be renamed in honor of my son as Jared’s law.”
“Our family has suffered immensely from this great loss, and knowing that parents as well as children might think about what happened to Jared before hosting underage alcohol fueled parties will preserve Jared’s memory, and bring a measure of justice to the loss of this fine, heroic young man.”
Moore said the new law is “going to make me the ‘mother advocate’ for Sullivan County, and I will go tell students Jared’s story to keep them from losing their lives.”
Jared’s Law states, “This legislature finds that underage drinking and drug use is a significant societal problem that has generated widespread concern in Sullivan County. Although the New York State Legislature has acted to proscribe the unlawful giving, selling and possessing of alcohol or drugs in relation to minors, it has not regulated the situation where a person 18 years of age or older knowingly permits the consumption of alcohol or drugs by a minor in his or her home or premises controlled by him.”
“The underage consumption of alcohol or drugs, whether at a party or a smaller gathering, poses an immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Sullivan County, often leading to alcohol and drug abuse by minors, physical altercations, accidental injuries, neighborhood vandalism, excessive noise disturbances requiring the intervention of local law enforcement and the commission of violent crimes, including sexual offenses and serious assaults.”
“A recent survey conducted by the Recovery Center determined that the average age of a child first using alcohol in Sullivan County is 13.2 years. In addition, the survey found that Sullivan County was above the seven state norm in parental attitudes favorable towards alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, a significant risk factor, in grades 10 and 11 and at the seven state norm for grades nine and 12; and that Sullivan County youth are predominantly drinking at their home (30%) or someone else’s home (32%).”
“A Prevention First NY and Sullivan County Care Corps survey from June 2011 to January 2012 found that 93.7% of adult respondents in Sullivan County, ages 18 to 83, supported a social host law. This chapter will serve to deter the consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs by minors by holding those 18 years of age or older responsible and accountable when they permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs by minors at premises under their control.”
The Social Host Law can be viewed at http://ecode360.com/26959171
Thank you and God Bless you Goldie Moore for your advocacy.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.