This document summarizes information presented by Officer Adam Petersen at Parent's University 2015 on topics including alcohol, drug, and tobacco awareness; parental rights to discipline in South Dakota; and curfew laws. It provides details on the legal ages to consume substances, laws regulating underage use and possession, signs of substance use or abuse, and reasonable disciplinary actions parents can take without risking child abuse charges. The presentation aims to educate parents and keep children safe, encouraging attendees to contact the police non-emergency line or school resource officers with any questions or concerns.

1. Parent’s University 2015
By Officer Adam Petersen

2. Objectives
 Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Awareness
 Parental Rights to Discipline in SD
 Curfew Laws

3. Introduction
Officer Adam Petersen
11 year veteran of the Sioux Falls Police
B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
School Resource Officer for Axtell Park,
Hawthorne and Lowell Elementary

4. Alcohol Awareness
 Legal drinking age in SD is 21 years old.
 There are many laws regulating alcohol in SD.
 35-9-1 prohibits providing alcohol to persons under 21 unless
by a parent and in the immediate presence of a parent or by
medical or religious prescription.
 35-9-2 prohibits the purchase, attempt to purchase,
possession either internal or external of alcohol by a minor.
 35-9-9 and 35-9-10 prohibit a “social host” from providing
alcohol to persons under 21 years of age.

5. Alcohol cont.
 By alcohol, SD law is referring to any distilled spirit, wine or
malt beverage.
 Other applicable laws involving alcohol are…..
 Driving While Intoxicated laws. Any person who operates a
motor vehicle in SD with a BAC content of .08% or higher
could be arrested for a DWI.
 Any person under 21 years of age caught driving with a BAC
of .02% or higher is going to be arrested for Zero Tolerance
DWI. (This is basically one drink for most kids)
 Open containers in motor vehicles are illegal in SD.

6. Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use
 A person drinking alcohol may or may not be easy to spot.
 Some common signs may include:
 Odor of alcoholic beverages,
 Slurred or mumbled speech,
 Bloodshot or glassy eyes,
 Vomiting, hiccupping, belching, etc.,
 Lowered inhibitions and increased risky behavior,
 Unsteady on their feet, poor balance, coordination.
 Police can confirm with a PBT or Preliminary Breath Test.
 Parents can also have their children checked by a blood test at a medical
provider. The parent has the right to make the child take a test.

7. Smoking
 The legal age for smoking in South Dakota is 18 years. This includes
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, E-cigarettes or vapor cigarettes which contain
nicotine.
 It is illegal for persons under 18 years of age to possess, smoke, purchase
or attempt to purchase tobacco products.
 It is illegal for an adult to purchase or provide any of the above to persons
under 18 years of age.
 These are misdemeanors in SD.
 Smoking is prohibited on all Sioux Falls School District property and is a
suspendable offense by the schools.

8. Drug Awareness
 There are many drugs abused in South Dakota including;
methamphetamines, marijuana, K2/Spice, cocaine and crack, ecstasy or
MDMA, prescription medication abuse, inhalants, and many others.
 Possession of any controlled substance in SD is a felony. Controlled
substances are those items scheduled by the government. They are
generally schedule I-V.
 Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor unless the amount exceeds 2
ounces or is being distributed.
 It is NOT illegal to possess certain inhalants, over the counter or OTC
medications, or even prescription medications, but it is illegal to consume
them for the purpose of getting high. That is called ingesting an is a
misdemeanor offense.

9. Drug Awareness
 Signs and Symptoms of drug use.
 As many as drugs on the market.
 Generally methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, K2, bath salts, prescription
ADHD drugs, ecstasy, and certain Rx’s are stimulants. These will make
people full of energy. They seem hyper or manic. They may sweat, their
eyes may look buggy, they may not sleep for long periods, etc. There are
many symptoms, but these are some of the easiest to spot.
 Marijuana will cause most people to act mellow, with glassy, bloodshot
eyes, a distinct odor, a white or greenish film on the tongue, slowed sense
of time or slowed reaction and perception.
 Abuse of inhalants will vary depending on the inhalant but they may have
blueish lips, be zoned out and unresponsive, have paint or glue on their
hands or face. This is a serious problem as inhalants will kill you or
destroy your brain function faster than almost anything.

10. Drug Awareness
 Prescription medications are difficult to tell because the prescription itself
will determine the signs or symptoms. Stimulants, narcotic analgesics,
depressants, etc. Each will display various signs.
 When all else fails, and your child is acting out of character either get
them medically examined or call the police. They will help you find out
what your child may or may not be using. It is better to be safe than
sorry!

11. Parental Rights to Discipline
 In South Dakota a parent has the right to discipline their child in a
reasonable fashion.
 What is reasonable?
 It is long accepted that spanking with an open hand is an acceptable form
of physical punishment. This should not be so severe as to leave welts or
bruising.
 Do NOT use any implements such as a stick, belt, broom handle, etc, etc.
This WILL cause injury and a potential child abuse charge.
 Do not hit in the face, head, torso, or other sensitive areas. These are
areas that will result in a child abuse charge.
 Do not keep your child from eating, drinking water, or other basic
sustenance required. One meal is not a big deal, but more than this would
be a problem.

12. Parental Discipline
 Be aware of the weather if you send your children outside. In SD it gets
very hot and very cold. Do not expose them to harsh climates without
preparation.
 Ask yourself, is this a reasonable form of discipline that a reasonable
citizen of South Dakota would do? If the answer is no, or if you even
think it MIGHT be no, it probably isn’t!
 If all else fails, call and ask someone. The school counselor, the police
non-emergency line, the Fire Department if you don’t want to call police,
your doctor, etc.
 PARENTING IS HARD! BE THE PARENT NOT THE FRIEND!

13. Curfew Awareness
 In Sioux Falls, the curfew for people under the age of 18 is 11:00 PM to
4:00 AM.
 Juveniles are NOT allowed out unsupervised by an adult guardian
between those hours.
 A violation of this is a misdemeanor and will result in a fine and parents
will be called to come pick up the children at any hour.
 If a parent knowingly allows their children out during the curfew they too
can receive a ticket and fine.
 There are exceptions for emergencies, leaving work, etc, but they have to
be confirmed by the officer.
 We always say that with kids, nothing good happens after 10:00 o’clock.

14. Conclusion
 The aim of the Sioux Falls Police is to keep your children safe.
 If you ever have any questions please call and ask.
 Non-Emergency Police (605) 367-7000
 Axtell Park School (605) 367-7647 (ask for Off. Adam or Off Tim).
 Sioux Falls Police Information Desk (605) 367-7212 (ask for information
desk).
Questions?