Washington County Sheriff’s Office:

Taking Action Against Underage Drinking

April is Alcohol Awareness month in Maine and across the nation. As part of a state wide campaign, Washington County: One Community in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has begun a county wide effort to raise awareness about the issue of underage and high risk drinking through active party patrols and a media advocacy initiative.

With access to funding awarded to Washington County: One Community to reduce underage drinking, the Washington County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating, enforcing and prosecuting violators of Maine's underage drinking laws. Breaking these laws can result in criminal offenses, fines of up to $2,000, jail time up to 12 months, and loss of license. “There is a role for everyone.” advised Sheriff Donnie Smith “Our role is to ensure that providing alcohol or a place for a minor to consume alcohol, regardless if the minor is a relative or not, will not be tolerated in our county.” The Washington County Sheriff's Office has been actively patrolling “hot” spots that have been known for underage drinking parties, such as gravel pits, camps and homes. “I am very excited about this opportunity.” states Sheriff Smith. “We have discussed ways in which we can address the underage drinking problem in our county but have not had the extra means to increase enforcement until now. In addition to the active party patrols, we are also offering a Tip line to help encourage community members throughout the county to take a stand against underage drinking.”

In 2008, middle and high school students in Washington County took part in the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS). The survey results suggest that Washington County teens are strongly influenced by community and family attitude about underage drinking:

• Washington County high school students are more than twice as likely to have had alcohol if they believe adults in their community think it is okay. Of the students who believe adults in their community think underage drinking is acceptable, 52% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. On the other hand, the students who believe adults in their community think underage drinking is wrong, only 22% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days.

• Washington County high school students are more than three times as likely to have had alcohol if they believe their parents think it is okay. Of the students who believe their parents think underage drinking is acceptable, 80% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. But of the students who believe their parents think underage drinking is wrong, only 27% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days.

“Parents and community role modeling are undoubtedly making an impact on the youth in Washington County when it comes to underage drinking. And for those students who do decide to drink, they don’t realize how susceptible they are to risky behaviors and health problems that can have lasting affects,” adds Community Health Specialist for Washington County: One Community, Sara McConnell. Alcohol negatively effects teens in a number of ways. The brain is not fully matured until the mid-twenties and the use of alcohol can cause long-term damage to a teens brain. Alcohol impairs judgment and has been strongly linked to teenage depression, plays a significant role in suicide, there is a risk of alcohol poisoning, unintentional accidents and injuries, and unplanned sexual behavior. A teens health and well being are at risk each time they consume alcohol.

For more information on warning signs, Maine's underage drinking laws and penalties, resource guides and much more check out the Maine Office of Substance Abuse on the web at www.MaineParents.net. You can also contact Sara McConnell, Washington County: One Community, A Healthy Maine Partnership at 255-3741. If you would like to report incidences of underage drinking, the Washington County Sheriff's Office has implemented an anonymous Tip line, which can be reached at 1-800-432-7303 or 255-3128 ext. 37.

Washington County: One Community is established as a community-based coalition serving Washington County. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life for Washington County citizens – from infants to elders. The coalition has adopted shared visions that respect cultural and community differences encourage broad citizen engagement, and support public health, community development and a viable economic infrastructure.