Underage Drinking: Success Stories

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.

Greater Boston Area Youth In Action team saw their alcohol purchase

surveys make a positive difference in two communities in Massachusetts.

 Under the guidance of Amy Fradette of Mothers Against Drunk Driving,

the team conducted alcohol purchase surveys in the town of

in March of 2000, using adult decoys to attempt purchases without

identification. Marlborough

is a town of approximately 35,000 people located west of

Boston.

 Of the seven outlets initially surveyed, five did not ask for age

identification. Publicizing these results through a media event the

following May, the YIA team drew the attention of local law enforcement

personnel, who then conducted compliance checks using minors. Of

twenty-one outlets checked in

Marlborough,

nine were subsequently cited for selling alcohol to a minor. 

these checks, the Youth in Action team conducted follow-up surveys to

assess any change in selling patterns. In December 2000, the team surveyed

outlets and found only two that failed to ask for age identification.

?Our team?s efforts made the difference,? says Amy Fradette. ?Now

the local police department is coming to us

when it needs information about underage sales.?