LEAF

Public Service Announcement

21—IT’S THE LAW.

Law enforcement is a critical element in the effort to keep children alcohol-free. It’s important law enforcement, communities, parents, and schools work together to send a clear no-use message to youths.

NEW YORK STATE LAWS THAT PROTECT OUR YOUTHS:

Underage Alcohol Possession

It is against the law for anyone under 21 to possess alcohol with the intent to consume.

Zero Tolerance
Youths under 21 who drink and drive can lose their license for up to one year for small mounts of alcohol, and face jail time for larger amounts of alcohol found in their systems.

Sean’s Law
Underage drinkers who drive will have their junior license or driving permits promptly suspended if they are charged with an alcohol-related traffic offense.

Lowering Blood Alcohol Content DWI from .10 to .08

The BAC for legal intoxication while driving has been lowered from .10% to .08%, allowing for the suspension of a license pending prosecution if the BAC at arrest is .08% or more.

Keg Registration
An identification tag is attached to every keg sold at a retail store. The tag contains the name and address of the retail store, the name of the purchaser, and a keg identification number. This allows law enforcement professionals to track keg sales, especially those purchased and then given to people under age 21.

ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES THAT WORK

Party Prevention – Often law enforcement’s relationship with a community or school results in tips about party planning underway. Officers can then notify parents, often stopping a drinking party before it starts.

Proactive Enforcement – Law enforcers can work to prevent drinking at concerts, graduations, dances, etc. by conducting alcohol presentations at schools, informing youths about the consequences of drinking.

Party Patrols – Underage drinking usually occurs at large parties, and some police departments have party patrols that break up the party and detain underage drinkers. Publicizing these patrols can help discourage youths from having drinking parties.

Community Policing – Law enforcement efforts to curb underage drinking are most effective when residents cooperate to identify local problems and norms, and police team up with neighborhoods to respond effectively to underage drinking.

NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

DAVID E. PATERSON, Governor
1450 Western Avenue / Albany, NY 12203-3526 / 518-473-3460 / Fax: 518-485-6014
www.oasas.state.ny.us / prevention@oasas.state.ny.us