Prevent Underage Drinking

ALBANY - The State Commissioners of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have united to remind parents, students and those who sell liquor on the importance of the importance of preventing underage drinking in New York State.
“It seems like every year at this time, we hear of another needless tragedy due to underage drinking, which is why it’s so important that all communities across the state work together to prevent underage drinking,” said OASAS Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo.
“One mistake made early in life can have lifelong ramifications. This year, tragedies can be avoided and lives can be saved if youth make the right choice by staying safe and choosing not to drink alcohol.”
“With senior proms and graduations upon us, it is vital for everyone to remember the importance of discouraging underage drinking,” said SLA Chairman Daniel B. Boyle. “Holding a liquor license is a privilege and the SLA expects our licensees to follow the law and act responsibility.”
“New York State is a nationally recognized leader in preventing alcohol- and drug-related traffic crashes, especially involving drivers under age 21,” said DMV Commissioner David J. Swarts.
“Proms, graduations and the summer driving season ahead can be among the happiest days in a student’s life, unmarred by a tragedy in which someone is injured or killed. We want to keep it that way. It is important that under-age New Yorkers choose to not drink and certainly not to drink and drive.”
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among adolescents. In 2006, nearly 15,000 New Yorkers between the age of 12 and 20 were admitted to a New York State treatment program for an alcohol-related issue. By their senior year, nearly four out of five students have consumed alcohol.
Underage drinking can lead to unplanned and unprotected sexual activity, poor school performance, driving while intoxicated, and even death. In addition, underage drinking can hinder brain, organ, bone and muscle development, along with long-term memory and learning skills.
Those holding liquor licensees are reminded that selling alcohol to a person under the age of 21 is a crime. Before making a sale, employees should check for proof of age. Birth certificates, college IDs, and Sheriffs IDs are not acceptable proof of age. Surveys show that in many sales to minors, proper identification is never requested.
In 2006, the SLA terminated nearly 500 liquor licenses and imposed fines of over $5 million, the majority of which involved sales to minors.
In 2005 alone there were nearly 5,500 drinking drivers that resulted in 294 fatalities and more than 5,000 personal injuries. In fact, in 2005, 429 drinking drivers under the age of 21 were involved in crashes in which there were 23 fatalities and nearly 400 personal injuries.
Adults should also be aware of New York State’s Social Host Liability Law, targeting people who provide alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years-of-age. The law imposes liability on the “social host” for any injury or damages caused by the intoxicated youth.
OASAS and the SLA have collaborated on three publications addressing underage drinking targeting parents, retailers and law enforcement. Links to these publications are:
www.oasas.state.ny.us/ud/documents/AlcoholandYourChild.pdf www.oasas.state.ny.us/ud/documents/OASASRetail.pdf
www.oasas.state.ny.us/pio/documents/LawEnforce5-07.pdf
If you or someone you know needs more information on New York’s prevention, treatment and recovery services, please call 1-800-522-5353.
For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us or www.abc.state.ny.us or www.nysdmv.com.