Underage
Drinking: Success Stories
New Hampshire – August 27, 2003
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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.
Leadership Wins Tougher Penalties in New Hampshire
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In Concord, New Hampshire, leaders in the community sought and won
increased penalties for sales to minors.
In 2001, the Concord City Council convened an ad hoc group to study
underage drinking. This group was comprised of representatives from the
courts, the faith community, schools, businesses, law enforcement
officers, and parents. After a process that included public hearings, the
ad hoc group wrote a report with two main recommendations: (1) Concord
should create a position in city government to manage programs and
activities for youth and (2) Concord should change its regulatory policies
towards underage drinking.
One of the problems noted by the group was the lack of penalties for
outlets that failed compliance checks. Clerks who sold to minors usually
faced criminal charges, but management got by with only minimal penalties.
One store??the poster child for bad business,? says Concord?s Chief of
Police Jerome Madden?failed five straight compliance checks. That the
store failed so many times is particularly galling to Madden.
Chief Madden, along with Judge Michael Sullivan and Mayor Donovan, asked
the State Liquor Commission for a meeting to air their concerns about the
laxity of penalties for sales to minors. To their surprise, the Commission
asked the three representatives to recommend new penalty guidelines.
The Chief, Judge, and Mayor all agreed that license suspension must happen
on the first offense. The three also agreed that a fine should be part of
the equation. Ultimately, they won the Commission?s approval for the
following penalties:
-First offense: 3-day suspension and $250 fine.
-Second offense within 3 years: 5-day suspension and $500 fine.
-Third offense: 10-day suspension and $750 fine.
-Fourth offense: 30-day suspension and $1,000 fine.
-Fifth offense: revocation for the balance of the licensing year, or at least 6 months.
The Commission adopted these penalties for the city of Concord on trial
basis for one year beginning in August 2002. Looking back on their first
year, Judge Sullivan said ?community support has been wonderful.? More
importantly, the new policies have raised awareness of law enforcement
efforts to reduce underage drinking. Now, says Chief Madden, ?the
community is well aware of how we look at these things.?
With the successful trial period over, the Commission will re-assess the
structure of sanctions and judiciously recommend change where it deems
appropriate. Underage drinking is of great concern in Concord and
community leaders will continue to work on strategies to limit the access
of alcohol to underage youth.
For more information, contact
Chief Aidan Moore of the New Hampshire Liquor
[email protected]
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