Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws takes center stage this month

On May 31, 2012, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed a proclamation declaring the month of June as Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Awareness Month. This event was backed by many government agencies and community stakeholders who were present to support the effort.

Inos, who was the acting governor then, acknowledged that 2011 juvenile crime data shows that minors consuming alcohol remains one of the highest offenses committed by juveniles in the CNMI, which often leads to more serious delinquent offenses.

In 2011-2012, the CNMI Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Task Force conducted a series of compliance check operations. Out of 22 establishments checked, 12 violators were arrested, cited, and prosecuted.

“Although the task force has made significant progress toward enforcing the sale of alcohol to minors, underage drinking continues to be a major community problem. Therefore, we need the community’s continued support and active involvement in addressing this issue,” said David R. Maratita, director of the Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Control Division.

Sgt. Jose Saures of the Crime Prevention Unit expressed his sincere appreciation to Inos and extended his gratitude for the task force’s efforts and to the participants during the proclamation. Saures also commended Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan) for introducing House Bill 17-17 that will help strengthen the CNMI’s Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws program.

Commerce Secretary Sixto Igisomar said that the current Alcoholic Beverage Control Act is very antiquated and he strongly supports overhauling the current laws that do not meet current business demands. He explained that the current fines involving offenses for selling alcohol to minors is only a slap on the wrist and requires more stringent measures in order to help deter repeated violations.

Others said the task force needs to work more with the community because minors have easy access to alcohol during family gatherings and community functions. Adults should also practice separating alcoholic beverages from other beverages, and not letting their children get their drinks for them. With everything starting at home, efforts should be made to start the change at home.

June is a time at the end of the school year when minors are more prone to consuming alcohol. Therefore, throughout the month of June, there will be several events sponsored by the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws program. These events include EUDL town hall meetings, youth volleyball and softball tournaments, compliance check operations, and other activities.

For more information, contact Maratita from ABTC at 664-3065 or Vincent Camacho from CJPA at 664-4551. To report a complaint regarding stores selling alcohol to minors or minors consuming alcohol, call or text the EUDL hotline at 483-1821. All complaints received are confidential. The legal drinking age in the CNMI is 21. Do not provide alcohol to minors. [B][I](Office of the Governor)[/I][/B]