Yes or No    News Release Checklist

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Danyaville Parents Advocating Prevention

1234 Advocacy Road
Danyaville, Illinois 54312
Telephone: (555) 555-1212
Fax: (555) 555-3434

For Immediate Release Contact: Judy Hardent (555) 555-1212

POLICE AND LOCAL COALITION WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL

[Danyaville, Illinois]—Danyaville Parents Advocating Prevention (DPAP), in collaboration with the Danyaville Police Department, initiated the first series of compliance checks of local liquor stores as part of a community-wide effort to reduce youth access to alcohol.

These organized police stings were strategized by community members, law enforcement, local businesses, and politicians interested in combating underage drinking in their communities. Using volunteer students from the Danyaville high school, police were able to determine if local merchants are selling alcohol to youth. Students were instructed to enter local establishments and purchase a six pack of beer. Merchants who sold to the minors received a stringent fine. Violations of the Minimum Purchase Age (MPA) laws occurred in eight out of 10 liquor stores that were approached. 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. 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.

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. “It is vital that we limit our children’s access to alcohol,” said DPAP Director Judy Harden. “Many teens across the nation attend parties, consume alcohol, and get into their cars to drive home. Some of them never make it home.” The DPAP and the Danyaville police will continue to enforce this environmental approach to reduce substance use and protect the youth in their community.

Danyaville Parents Advocating Prevention is a community-based organization that is committed to reducing youth substance use. To obtain more information about the DPAP on how to conduct compliance checks in your community, please contact Director Judy Harden at (555) 555-1212.

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