Underage Drinking Task Force

Underage drinking does not have to be a part of growing up. In fact, alcohol is the number one substance that adults and a community should be able to keep away from teens — after all, if they don’t have a legal ID, they shouldn’t be able to obtain it. Yet, the 2004 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey reports that Charlotte County teens still use alcohol at a much higher rate than the state average.

How are our teens getting their hands on alcohol? Statiscally, most teens obtain alcohol first from their home, and second, from an older friend. Charlotte County teens participating in focus groups also report that a small minority of parents may even provide alcohol to teens, believing that it is safer for them to consume alcohol under adult supervision.

Research tells us that there simply is no such thing as “safe” teenage drinking. Teens that consume alcohol risk damage to their still-developing brain, heart and other organs, as well as increase their chances of other drug use, sexual assault, pregnancy and accidents.

The Underage Drinking Task Force is a committee of school personnel, parents, teens and law enforcement officers, working together to educate the community about the social, health and legal consequences of underage drinking. There are meetings to accommodate every schedule, including lunchtime and evening meetings. All interested community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Compliance Checks

One of the Task Force’s ongoing projects is conducting regular Compliance Checks on local business throughout Charlotte County to ensure that they are not selling alcohol to underaged customers. A complete report of the results is compiled, and violators are placed under arrest. Click here to download our latest reports.