Strategy One: ENFORCING THE MINIMUM PURCHASE AGE LAW

Laws establishing 21 years old as the minimum legal drinking age have been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and the negative consequences (Toomey, Rosenfeld, and Wagenaar 1996; United States General Accounting Office 1987; Wagenaar 1993). Yet while the MPA law for alcohol products in every State is 21, youth and underage adults can and do obtain alcohol through retail sources (Forster et al. 1995; Wagenaar et al. 1996).

As an environmental prevention strategy, enforcement of MPA laws seeks to reduce alcohol consumption and related problems by restricting the accessibility of alcohol for purchase by youth. Enforcement of MPA laws is an effective way to alter retailer behavior so that youth access to alcohol is reduced (Lewis et al. 1996; Michigan State Police 1989; Preusser, Williams, and Weinstein 1994). Increased retailer compliance with MPA laws will result in reduced access to alcohol for youth; however, it should also be noted that when implementing retail-oriented enforcement, there is likely to be a substitution effect with some youth choosing to obtain alcohol through social or third-party providers.