Missouri - August 25, 2000

With support from the OJJDP Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Initiative, community organizations, enforcement agencies, youth, and other concerned citizens are working collaboratively to reduce underage drinking and youth access to alcohol.

One of the most celebrated victories was in the City of Smithville, MO, a �bedroom� community of Kansas City.  To date, Smithville has the distinction of being the only Missouri community to implement a local keg registration ordinance.  This keg registration law requires retailers to attach a locking, numbered plastic tag to each keg.  When a keg is purchased, the retailer records the buyer�s name, address, phone number, and other identifying information on a form; this form also lists the number from the keg�s tag.  If enforcement officers confiscate the keg at an underage drinking party, they can easily trace the purchaser who supplied the alcohol to the underage youth and impose the appropriate sanctions.  

Smithville Police Department Chief Paul Vescovo applauds the work of local alcohol policy advocates, including youth volunteers from Youth With Vision and MO�s Youth/Adult Alliance Against Underage Drinking.  �I�m proud that our city has set a precedent and has done its part in holding adult providers of alcohol responsible for their actions,� Chief Vescovo said.  

Other community policy actions include the passage of open house parties ordinances in the Cities of Kearney, Liberty, Platte City, and Richmond.  These local laws hold adults who are responsible for the property liable if minors are found possessing and/or consuming alcohol on the premises.  Penalties include fines and possible jail time.  Additionally, Maryville and other localities passed open container ordinances.  Maryville is also examining the City�s current code that allows underage youth into bars as long as they do not drink.  

�Local ordinances send a very strong message about a community�s acceptable norms,� says Vicky Ward, prevention specialist for Tri-County Mental Health Services in Kansas City.  Teamed with effective enforcement strategies and community support, local-level policy changes can strengthen efforts to reduce underage drinking and youth access to alcohol. 

For more information, contact Tempe Humphrey, OJJDP State Coordinator, at 1-800-800-2358 or [email protected]