Underage Drinking: Success Stories

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.

An ?extremely high rate of noncompliance among alcohol-licensed

establishments? was how one community leader described Georgia?s problem

of illegal sales of alcohol to minors.

Georgia?s Department of Revenue ? Alcohol & Tobacco Division (DOR-ATD) was

quick to respond to this problem. In the fall of 1997, along with

coalition members and staff from the Georgia Alcohol Policy Partnership (GAPP),

a plan for conducting statewide compliance investigations in Georgia was

created. GAPP agreed to conduct statewide public awareness efforts and

assist with the recruitment and training of youth enforcement teams.

Georgia DOR-ATD agents agreed to systematically increase compliance

investigations over time and to develop an initial framework for what is

now the UNDERAGE ALCOHOL INVESTIGATIVE & COMPLIANCE OPERATIONS GROUP.

Initially, approximately 500 compliance checks were conducted. Of the

alcohol-licensed establishments investigated, more than half were not

complying with State and local laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to

minors.

Over the past 3 years, the number and frequency of the operations have

increased, as have the more locally coordinated investigations. This has

resulted in more than 6 thousand investigations by State and local law

enforcement and a reduction in illegal sales by almost 50 percent.

Currently, the rate of compliance among alcohol-licensed establishments in

Georgia is close to 80 percent!

Strong support exists for Georgia?s law enforcement efforts to reduce

illegal sales of alcohol to minors.

Law enforcement, community leaders, and youth all play a significant role

in Georgia?s successful efforts. Youth participate in compliance checks,

lead advocacy efforts, and conduct media and education campaigns designed

to inform key lawmakers about the problems of underage drinking and youth

access to alcohol.

Community leaders, Georgia PTA, MADD Georgia, Family Connection of

Georgia, and coordinators of local efforts to reduce underage drinking

provide critical influence by encouraging local and State organizations to

support alcohol policy and enforcement strategies that reduce youth access

to alcohol.

For more information, contact Clarise Jackson-Hall ? Children &

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