Underage Drinking: Success Stories

Mesa, a town of 500,000, sits just southeast of Phoenix in the Arizona desert. The town’s geography means that underage drinking can happen in a number of venues—in homes, in hotels, in the desert, and elsewhere.

Four years ago, officers in one of Mesa’s police districts noticed that a large share of their calls-to-service were related to underage drinking that had led to crime and violence—stabbings, shootings, fatal collisions, and more. The district began devoting resources to underage drinking prevention, which then became the city-wide Minor Alcohol Abuse Prevention Project, or MAAPP. The MAAPP is funded in part through the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Says Director Richard Fimbres, “The Office is always eager and willing to participate in and provide funding for partnerships that are efficient and effective.” Deputy Director—and Mesa native—Michael Frias agrees: “Under age drinking is a serious problem and this is one of the many angles we must take to alter the culture of underage drinking.”

Lt. Brian Kozak was assigned to coordinate MAAP, and he began looking at underage parties as a focus of drinking activity. After reading publications from OJJDP and NHTSA on party prevention and controlled dispersal, he implemented party patrols in MAAPP’s efforts to reduce underage drinking.

The patrols began in earnest about 2 years ago during prom season, with the Mesa Police Department sending out dozens of officers to patrol, locate, and disperse underage parties. The patrols have increased in size and frequency ever since; at least two officers are on party detail nearly every weekend. Even the helicopter unit is involved, reporting parties as they are spotted from the air.

The patrols have been accompanied by source investigations, media advocacy, and education. Once a party is dispersed, the police look for the adult provider of the alcohol, bringing charges as needed. Media play has also been important, especially in graduation season; stories warn of patrol activities before they begin, later explaining the results when they are concluded. Lt. Kozak also visits schools in the area regularly, giving presentations on the costs and consequences of underage drinking.

According to Lt. Kozak, this work is paying off: there is a significant drop in parties and underage drinking in the Mesa area. Where once there were two or three desert parties a month, there are now almost none. “Kids have noticed a lot more heavy enforcement,” reports Lt. Kozak. “The perception of getting caught is higher.”