Statewide Campaign Blitzes Underage Drinking

An "enforcement and education blitz" coordinated by the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) resulted in an unprecedented number of activities by local law enforcement and prevention teams that focused attention on the dangers of underage alcohol use.

Through the statewide campaign, South Carolina's Alcohol Enforcement Teams (AETs) helped direct activities aimed at limiting access to alcohol by young people under the age of 21. The increased enforcement and public education efforts promoted a safe end to the school year and a safe prom season. The campaign - called "Out of Their Hands" - emphasized that it is against the law for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

The campaign, which ran April 2-11, resulted in:

32 party-dispersal operations (compared to 3 during the same period in 2009);

759 compliance checks (compared to 115 during the same period in 2009);

71 public safety checkpoints (compared to 14 during the same period in 2009); and

95 "shoulder tap" operations (compared to 0 during the same period in 2009).

These various operations led to 452 cases of charges being filed. During the period of April 2-11, 2009, only 125 cases resulted from similar operations.

In addition to the law enforcement activities, numerous television appearances, newspaper articles, radio interviews, school presentations, town hall meetings, billboards and other educational efforts were coordinated by the state's county alcohol and drug abuse authorities.

"As you know, the number-one drug of abuse in South Carolina is alcohol," said W. Lee Catoe, Director of DAODAS, during a news conference held today to announce the results of the campaign. "And no population is more vulnerable to the dangers of alcohol abuse than our state's young people. But DAODAS and its local agencies provide tools and support for the three tactics proven effective in the prevention of underage drinking: 1) reducing the availability of alcohol; 2) consistent enforcement of existing laws and regulations; and 3) changing norms and behaviors through education."

Joining Catoe during the news conference were Col. Napoleon "Nick" Moore of the S.C. Department of Public Safety, a partner in the "Out of Their Hands" campaign; Miss South Carolina Teen Ali Rogers, whose platform is "Teens Against Underage Drinking"; Michelle Nienhius, Prevention Consultant with DAODAS; and David Jordan, an Upstate merchant who has pioneered aggressive tactics for keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors.

DAODAS is the cabinet agency responsible for ensuring the availability and accessibility of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services throughout South Carolina.