NCJ Number
189347
Date Published
March 2001
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This guide details what coalitions and organizations must do to ensure that enforcement and judicial communities are active partners in the effort to reduce underage drinking.
Abstract
One of the first tasks discussed is groups' efforts to understand the needs and concerns of law enforcement agencies and to recognize that underage-drinking enforcement differs from traditional enforcement methods. Before any law enforcement agency can begin a targeted underage drinking enforcement program, agency administrators and individual officers must recognize that youth and adults drink at different times and in different places. Adults and youth also manifest the effects of drinking differently when they drive. Failure to recognize these differences results in less effective law enforcement efforts. There may also be obstacles that deter the effective enforcement of underage-drinking laws; this guide describes several of the most common, along with proposed solutions. The booklet also discusses how to keep underage drinking enforcement a priority. In addition, successful underage-drinking enforcement strategies that have been used in other communities are described and contact information provided. Finally, the guide describes how to involve the judicial community, which is a key to an effective underage-drinking enforcement strategy. Appended comparison of juvenile and criminal justice systems, how to evaluate ID's, underage enforcement work session, roll call questionnaire, legislative status report, and pilot projects. 43-item resource list