Underage Drinking: Success Stories

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.

The city of Bristol, Connecticut, has been actively addressing the problem of underage drinking for several years. The most recent policy change prohibits ““possession”” of alcoholic beverages by minors.  Though the ordinance may seem a bit redundant as state law prohibits the ““provision”” of alcohol to persons younger than age 21, anyone familiar with the task of social availability enforcement understands that “provision” and “possession” can have vastly different meanings.  The new ordinance went into effect in January and greatly enhances law enforcement’s ability to cite minors who participate in underage drinking parties on private property.  It is also an excellent example of how concerned citizens and committed political leaders can effect positive change.

A former truant officer, Bristol ’s Mayor Frank Nocastro’s interest in youth-related issues is well known.  Several years ago, he convened a committee to review local alcohol-related ordinances and identify policies that would strengthen existing law. The mayor’s Zero Tolerance Commission on Underage Drinking, chaired by a member of the City Council consisted of representatives from the business community, health-related agencies, the police department, schools, private organizations, parents, and other citizens.  That the city prohibit possession of alcohol by minors was among the commission’s recommendations.  It was believed that this policy would enable more effective social availability enforcement.

Prior to the ordinance’s passage, the local prevention coalition, The Bristol Community Wellness Coalition, launched a citywide public awareness campaign targeting parents as well as youth.  One program that aired on public access television featured a local representative to the state assembly, a city council member, and a local health organization serving youth, all of whom expressed complete support for the law and certainty that it could and would be enforced in a fair manner.  The city’s policy chief concurred in a public hearing on the proposed ordinance.  And although some youth and parents were distressed that the city council was considering the policy, many other youth and parents recognized and expressed a need for the policy.  In the end, the ordinance was passed by the city council with widespread support.

Support from Connecticut ’s Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws grant has enabled enforcement of the new ordinance as well as greater enforcement of all other alcohol-related laws, such as retail compliance checks. The police department will also provide quarterly reports on alcohol enforcement efforts and further increase the level of alcohol enforcement during the summer months when youth are out of school. 

The change in policy and enforcement practice has been widely publicized among youth through the Bristol Community Wellness Coalition’s activities. These activities also include the “provision” of alternative activities developed by youth for youth and educational efforts directed at parents.  The current billboard campaign encourages parents to be aware of what their children do when they socialize.  Basing statistics a recent survey of local youth, the billboard message reads, “One-fourth of Bristol high school students were drunk last weekend.  Was yours one of them?”

For more information contact:  Patricia Checko, Director of Health, Bristol Health District and Chair, Bristol Community Wellness Coalition (860) 584-7682 or [email protected]