As the sun starts to shine, spring breaks begin, and prom nights come, more teens will give into peer pressure and drink alcohol.
That’s why the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) is reminding parents to be aware of teen drinking.
The MLCC states that by the time teens are a senior in high school, 75% of them have already tasted alcohol. While kids can’t legally get them, many parents and other adults will purchase alcohol for minors.
To curb the dangers associated with underage drinking, the MLCC offers retailers the following tips:
· Always check the identification (ID) of a person who appears less than 21 years old. The use of a false ID is a serious problem for retail licensees and their employees. Minors attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages sometimes use altered, counterfeit, or someone else’s ID. You may be able to deter the use of a false ID by informing minors that under MCL 436.1703(2) an attempt to purchase liquor by using a false ID is a misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment up to 93 days and/or a fine of up to $100.
· Examine the ID closely. Alterations in driver licenses or ID cards can often be detected with a flashlight. Smudges, alterations and misalignments of seals is apparent and cards issued after June 1987 also have a watermark style coating that is high gloss and more difficult to alter. Can the person answer questions based on the details of the ID, such as address or the birth date? What’s the correct spelling of your middle name? What street address is shown on your ID? What’s your ZIP code for the address shown?
· If an “Under 21” applicant obtains a new or duplicate license six months in advance of his/her 21st birthday, the license will have the “Under 21” designation – all ages should be verified by checking the date of birth. A “D” at the end of the number in the lower right corner indicates that the license or ID card is a DUPLICATE.
· Make sure the photo, height and eye color match the person in front of you, if any do not match ask for a second piece of ID. People with fake ID’s rarely carry back-up identification.
The MLCC also states that according to reports, adults’ messages and actions really do make a difference:
· Middle and high school students who don't think they'll be caught by their parents are nearly five times as likely to drink as students who think they will get caught;
· Students who think that alcohol is easy to get are four times as likely to drink as students who think alcohol is hard to obtain;
· Students who don't think that they will be caught by the police are four times as likely to drink as students who do think they will be caught by the police;
· Students who believe that their parents or other adults in their communities think it's OK for youth to drink are three times as likely to drink.
So remember to remind teens the importance of following the law this Spring.
