Underage
Drinking: Success Stories
Mississippi – August
6, 2001
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of Problem
Strategies More
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With
support from the OJJDP Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Initiative,
community organizations, enforcement agencies, youth, and other concerned
citizens are working collaboratively to change local ordinances and
enforcement practices.
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Where There?s A Will:
Mississippi AG Office Blankets State with Compliance Checks |
In
1998, the Mississippi State Legislature took away the Alcohol Beverage
Control?s power to conduct compliance
checks at locations that sold beer such as convenience stores.
The development came as a blow to an agency that was already
struggling to conduct compliance checks with a staff of only part-time
inspectors. Similarly,
prevention advocates were disturbed by the change, recognizing that
compliance checks conducted at state liquor stores that only sell wine and
distilled spirits would probably not produce a realistic picture of the
ease with which youth are able to purchase alcoholic beverages in
Mississippi.
Fortunately,
the State?s Office of the Attorney General considered retail sales of
alcohol purchases to minors a serious problem and stepped in to address
the issue. Between
May 1, 2000
and
April 30, 2001
, the Attorney
General?s Office working in cooperation with local law enforcement
agencies around the state completed 7228 compliance checks.
Compliance checks are
conducted throughout the year and as of February, just under 5400 beer
compliance
checks were conducted in
grocery, convenience, and drug stores statewide.
Since last spring, the average noncompliance rate for the state has
decreased from 26 percent in May to 17 percent in January.
The average noncompliance rate for the nine-month period was 19
percent.
In addition, the agency recently began conducting alcohol compliance
checks in bars located in college areas. The second round of compliance checks conducted in January 2001
produced a 32 percent buy-rate. While
this rate is high, it did indicate a decrease. The buy-rate in September 2000 was 57 percent.
Compliance checks were conducted in
Cleveland, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Jefferson/Claiborne, Oxford and Starkville Counties. Rates for these counties
ranged from 83 percent (Jefferson/Claiborne) to 0 percent (Hattiesburg).
Mississippi imposes graduated penalties on permit holders whose establishments are found
selling alcohol to minors. Fines
range from up to $500 for a first offense to up to $5000 for a third
offense. License suspension
periods range from three months for a first offense to one year for a
third offense.
For more information contact: Bill Perrett, EUDL State Coordinator, Mississippi
Department of Public Safety, (601) 987-4990.
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