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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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 & Youth Coordinating Council @ (404)508-6574; Ronald Johnson – GA Dept of Revenue – Alcohol & Tobacco Division @ (404) 656-4252; Joel Hardy – GA Alcohol Policy Partnership @ (770)239-7442; or Cathy Finck – Cobb Underage Drinking Task Force @ (770)640-8862.