Law Enforcement/Underage Access to Alcohol Task Force

Click here to see members of the Law Enforcement Committee/Underage Access to Alcohol Task Force

In the spring of 2003, two standing committees of The Community Partnership, the Law Enforcement Committee and the Underage Access to Alcohol Task Force joined forces with a common goal to implement an approach to prevent and reduce underage access to and consumption of alcohol in Lucas and surrounding counties.

As one of the oldest committee structures of the Partnership, the Law Enforcement Committee carried on many of its functions from the days of Lucas County CARES. Coordination of enforcement efforts throughout the county have focused more and more on youth drinking and the merger with the Underage Access Task Force is a logical step in both groups' evolution.

In a partnership with area schools and Lamar Advertising, a billboard contest was implemented during Red Ribbon Week in 2001 and again in 2002. Students in grades three through six were invited to showcase their artistic ability by demonstrating why its is unhealthy/and or unwise for young people to consume alcohol. The contest also worked to counter false messages presented to young people in advertising by the alcohol industry. Five winners were placed on billboards throughout the community and viewed by approximately 300,000 to 462,000 people.

Recognizing the high employee turnover faced by area tavern, club, and grocery establishments, the committee made the decision to make electronic identification scanners available on loan. These scanners help clerks to quickly identify the consumer's age and the authenticity of the identification card. Not only has the Task Force penetrated the retail market by selling about 15 scanners this year; but they are also a favorite at area alcohol-serving festivals and events. This year the scanners were used at about 30 events. The Underage Access to Alcohol Task Force's commitment to the prevention of underage drinking allows area festivals and events to use these scanners free of charge.

Paying close attention to the needs of the community, the group realized the need for special training for alcohol-selling establishments. A three-and-one-half-hour training is provided free to area merchants. The course helps associates identify underage customers, understand alcohol laws as they pertain to them, and refuse sales to underage patrons. The course also helps employees to identify and handle false identification cards. So far this calendar year, more than 20 locations have taken this course.

The Task Force has distributed more than 3,000 booklets of information to area parents and working professionals. The Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free's How Does Alcohol Affect the World of a Child and The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Make the Difference: Talk To Your Children About Alcohol allows the public to see the real problems presented by underage drinking in our society. These publications help parents talk to their children about the dangers of alcohol to prevent underage drinking from starting.

Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth has named the Community Partnership's Underage Access To Alcohol Task Force the go-to coalition for its Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign. This nationally recognized program educates parents on the dangers of hosting teenage parties where alcohol is served. The Task Force assembled area agencies, schools, law enforcement agencies, businesses and individuals to make this campaign a success in Lucas County.

Taking a page from the tobacco prevention playbook, the Task Force designed a static sticker to be placed on store's alcohol coolers. This florescent green sticker, which says, "It is unlawful for anyone under 21 to consume or possess alcohol," was mailed to more than 186 alcohol serving retail establishments; over 1,500 stickers were sent free of charge to the businesses. The intent is to create awareness for retail employees and to encourage them to ask for identification of customers who appear to be under 30 years old in an increased effort to deter underage patrons who attempt to purchase alcohol.

In May the University of Toledo, COMPASS, and The Community Partnership's Underage Access To Alcohol Task Force, came together during the university's health fair to hold the second annual Alcohol Screening Day. This event asks a series of questions to determine if an alcohol problem exists. If the consumer wishes, he or she may get help if they find they have a problem.

The second phase of the Project Northland curriculum was introduced in September. The Club 36 after school program will teach fourth, fifth and sixth grade students the science-based alcohol abstinence program. This curriculum targets all adolescents, gives a strong no use massage, and uses strategies that address both individual and social environmental factors. The lessons include peer leadership and parent components.

This newly-formed group will continue to be a strong influence in our community. In the upcoming year they are committed to implementing policies that will help prevent access and consumption of alcohol by underage persons; continuing advocacy programs; reinstating local compliance checks; working with insurance companies to reduce rates for businesses that use server training, and encouraging insurance programs to reduce the rates of drivers under 21 who complete alcohol abstinence programs.