Supervisors approve rule change punishing adults for permitting minors to use drugs, including alcohol, on their property

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has approved expanding the county's social host ordinance to include all controlled substances.

That means adults who provide or permit minors to use alcohol or controlled substances on property they own or control could face a civil penalty — up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

The measure, which was first proposed by Supervisor James Houser, passed Monday with a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Brent Oleson opposed.

Houser earlier this month said the amendment is meant to help prevent drug use among youths and provide law enforcement with another tool to address substance abuse.

The amendment prohibits 'the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances by people under the age of 21 where adult people knowingly allow or permit underage people to consume ... on property they own or control.' Included as a social host is any person or group supervising, in control or owning or leasing a space where there is a gathering of three or more underage people.

County staff said landlords not on the premises at the time of drug use — and unaware of such activity — would likely not be found immediately responsible.

Oleson said in a Monday news release he felt the amendment was 'well-meaning,' but puts an unreasonable amount of responsibility on adults.