Working with local police, MADD had under-21 youth go into stores in 21 cities and attempt to make illegal purchases of alcohol. They were most successful in Seattle, where 43 percent of retailers sold alcohol to youth. In Honolulu, however, 100 percent of retailers refused to sell alcohol to minors.

"The Night of Compliance gives us a snapshot of the nation's average rate of illegal alcohol sales," says Glynn Birch, MADD's national president. "It's not good enough and we must do better. The fact that teens are able to purchase alcohol underage underscores the need for every community to organize a coordinated attack against youth alcohol access."

The "Night of Compliance" checks (along with sales-denial rates) were conducted in Albuquerque (85 percent), Atlanta (88 percent), Boston (90 percent), Clarksville, Tenn. (87 percent), Clinton Township, Mich. (71 percent), Dallas (85 percent), Denver (81 percent), Fairfax County, Va. (81 percent), Gwinnett County, Ga. (74 percent), Honolulu (100 percent), Jacksonville (91 percent), Louisville (86 percent), Minneapolis (62 percent), Nashville (76 percent), Reno (88 percent), Sacramento (90 percent), San Angelo, Texas (81 percent), Santa Monica, Calif. (90 percent), Seattle (57 percent), Springfield, Ill. (83 percent), and Springfield, Mo. (77 percent).

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Note: Comments are now held for moderator approval. More info

Name:
Comment: (limit 250 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
Please keep comments on-topic, courteous, clean, non-commercial, and within the word limit.
Read the complete guidelines