FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
CONTACT: KIM JOHNSON
OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE
ABUSE
207-287-6344
PRESS RELEASE
TOUGHER YOUTH DRINKING
LAW TAKES EFFECT
AUGUSTA, ME – a
new Maine law effective this week takes a tougher
stand with anyone who furnishes alcohol to young people. Beginning September
17, the minimum fine for providing a place for minors to drink became $1,000.
Kimberly Johnson, director of the
Maine Health and Human Services’ Office of Substance Abuse, said
results from the 2004 Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS)
show that most of Maine’s
high school seniors have tried alcohol and half report that they drink
regularly.
“This law supports parents and
communities that set effective boundaries for reduction of underage drinking
and its many risks,” Johnson said. “We know that alcohol
consumption by minors is a major factor in sexual assault, suicide, homicide
and all kinds of accidents. National research and our prevention
program evaluations in Maine show that limiting
access is part of an effective strategy to reduce the underage drinking
problem.”
The law, enacted by the 122nd Legislature
and signed by Governor John Baldacci, increases penalties for people who
furnish, sell, or deliver liquor to minors. It also puts emphasis
on the seriousness of allowing teen drinking parties to occur in a home.
The sole exception is that minors are allowed to consume alcohol (in reasonable
amounts) in a private home in the presence of their own parent. In addition
to the $1,000 fine, the law specifies that the fine cannot be suspended
if the violation involves one or more minors under age 18.
“District
attorneys around the state have also begun to more aggressively prosecute
alcohol furnishing offenses, with many making it standard practice to request
48 hours jail time in addition to fines,” said Johnson.
“Many
parents are working hard to set clear boundaries and help their own children
remain alcohol-free,” said Johnson. “It is simply not
acceptable for parents or community members to undermine these efforts
by illegally providing alcohol or a place for youth to drink. We
need a consistent community effort to protect our young people from the
damage associated with drinking at a young age.”
Other
new laws designed to help prevent underage drinking also include a requirement
that stores selling alcohol display a poster reminding consumers that it
is illegal to provide alcohol to minors, and a requirement that clerks
card anyone attempting to purchase alcohol who looks under 27.
For more information about underage
drinking, visit www.maineosa.org
