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.

Communityactivists in Raleigh, North Carolina have successfully persuaded theirGeneral Assembly to pass legislation limiting alcohol sales in economicallydisadvantaged areas.  The bill prohibitsalcohol sales from exceeding 50% of total sales for retail outlets in UrbanRedevelopment Areas.  Passage of the billrepresents a major victory for these activists in their efforts to shape theircommunity.

UrbanRedevelopment Areas (U.R.A.) are designated by the state to provide economicincentives to communities with high levels of poverty. These areas also tend tohave a high concentration of alcohol outlets, especially convenience storesthat sell malt liquor and fortified wines. These stores are associated with increased incidence of violence, drugdealing, and underage drinking. Restricting the stores was difficult, however, since the North Carolina state government has sole authority overliquor permits. 

Residents of southeast Raleigh, an Urban RedevelopmentArea, recognized the need to limit alcohol sales in their community as part ofthe renewal and redevelopment process. Concerned by the presence of more thanforty alcohol retailers in their neighborhood, they decided to takeaction.First, the activists pressed theAlcoholic Beverages Commission to step up enforcement in southeast Raleigh the ABC responded by dedicating an officer to workwith the community.  

But the residents wanted even more control over their community, so they asked their legislators, including State Senator Eric Reeves (D-Raleigh), to introduce a bill to limit alcohol sales in U.R.A.s. Senator Reeves did so, convening public hearings in the General Assembly to explore the problem. These hearings were standing room only, heavily attended by community activists as well as industry representatives. According to Octavia Rainey, who led efforts to pass the bill, it was in these hearings that the activists demonstrated their commitment to controlling alcohol sales in their community. In the House, Rep. Dan Blue introduced a similar bill, and both bills went to vote in 1999.

Despite industry opposition, the bills passed, becoming law in December of 1999. The law provides a mechanism by which the state Alcoholic Beverages Commission can work with residents to maintain a reasonable level of alcohol sales in certain communities. Should a store be suspected of violating the provisions of the law, the City Council can request that the ABC investigate. Following the investigation, stores whose sales are in violation of the law lose their alcoholic beverage permits.

Through their determination and perseverance, the residents of southeast Raleigh have won the power to remove problem alcohol retailers from their neighborhood, making it a safer and healthier place to live. 

For more information contact: Octavia Rainey at (919) 834-4022