NCJ Number
193676
Date Published
October 2000
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This chapter presents the development of the Action on Alcohol and Teens (AAT) in Minnesota and the adversity faced and challenges met in its attempt to change public policies and influence government bodies to reduce underage drinking.
Abstract
In 1996, a grassroots organization of public health professionals established the Action on Alcohol and Teens (AAT) to promote local and State policies that reduced underage drinkers’ access to alcohol. Limited to the law in influencing government bodies, these public employees created a citizen action-lobbying group separate from their professional lives. Playing to its’ strengths, the AAT created alliances with other major organizations to assume various tasks. By 1999, the AAT helped pass local ordinance checks for all establishments licensed to sell alcohol and persuaded the State legislature to allow researchers and community groups throughout the State to use underage persons to conduct compliance checks. The compliance checks helped publicize the extent of the problem and encouraged additional action to eliminate alcohol sales to underage youth. In addition, the Minnesota legislature passed a bill allowing felony charges to be filed against adult providers of alcohol to youth in cases of death or bodily harm. Appendix