A FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES, continued

A Word About Enforcement and Deterrence

It is important to remember that once environmental strategies are in place, they must be enforced to be effective. Enforcement activity is an important environmental strategy that communicates the message to violators and the community at large that violations will not be tolerated. When sanctions are swift, certain, and meaningful, the deterrence value of this particular environmental strategy increases. Enforcement and deterrence strategies include:

• Enforcement of minimum purchase age (MPA) laws for alcohol and tobacco products;
• Enforcement directed at illicit drug dealing and use;
• Enforcement of zero-tolerance laws;
• Imposition of fines and penalties for violations of MPA laws, illicit drug dealing and use, and zero-tolerance laws;
• Enforcement of curfews imposed to keep youth off streets at night;
• Enforcement of school no-use policies;
• In-school suspension for violations of school no-use policies.