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SIGOURNEY, IOWA -- As high school graduation is quickly approaching, graduation parties are being planned and the invitations are being sent; and the city of Sigourney wants to make sure that these parties are alcohol and substance free.

Effective as of April 25, the Social Host Ordinance was passed by the Sigourney City Council which holds adults more accountable for hosting or providing a space where underage drinking or other controlled substances is happening.

KC STAAR Project Director Lynne Zoulek said this is a helpful tool for police. KC STAAR stands for Keokuk County Schools Tactics for Alcohol Abuse Reduction and it discourages teenagers from binge drinking.

“They couldn't prove that the alcohol was being provided by the host necessarily but they were allowing and had openly publicized that it was open to underage drinkers and the underage drinkers got a fine but the people who hosted the party and provided the place to go got away scot-free,” Zoulek said.

Those who violate the ordinance will be subject to a civil penalty of $200 for a first offense involving three to five people or $500 involving six or more people.  Second and third offenses increase to $750 to $1,000.

Zoulek added that parents should think twice if they think it’s OK to take away car keys and allow for underage drinking to happen as long as they stay in one location.

“And we know that there's so many more risks than just getting behind the wheel and a lot of that can happen in your home. Accidents can happen, fights can happen, overdoses can happen and those are all things that can happen under an adult's nose,” Zoulek said.

Zoulek wants teenagers to celebrate responsibly as graduation approaches.