• Operation DWI (ODWI)
• Operation Buckle Down (OBD)
• Underage Drinking & Driving
• Participating Agencies
• Reimbursement Forms
• Law Enforcement Calendar

Underage Drinking and Driving

How can I talk to my child about underage drinking?

Parents need to get involved early. In a recent survey, two-thirds (67%) of Americans say parents today don't speak with their children enough about drinking alcohol. Experts say, however, that "strong family relationships can be a potent force to help adolescents deal with the radically transformed conditions of contemporary life. A crucial need of adolescents is for an enduring, stable, supportive bond with a caring adult."

• Nearly half of parents sur veyed believe friends and peers have the most influence on kids ages 10 to 14. Experts say, however, that, "By a margin of four to one, the person most likely to be sought out for help by pre-teens having problems of any type is their mother."
• Many parents believe they should get out of the way when their children reach adolescence, letting them become instant adults. Experts have found, however, that, "31% of youth who describe their parents' stand on illegal underage drinking as 'lenient' are likely to say they have been drunk in recent weeks, compared to 18% of those who describe their parents' policy as 'very or moderately strict.'"
• After 11 years of decline in the number of high school seniors reporting daily drinking, the numbers increased 16 percent proportionally from 2.5% in 1993 to 2.9% in 2000. However, from 1999 to 2000 there was a 15% decrease in the proportion of high school seniors reporting daily drinking.
• While all 50 states and DC have a zero tolerance policy for youth under 21, 21% of 16-20 year old drivers involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .10 or higher in 1999. Fourteen percent of these young drivers were involved in fatal crashes where the BAC level was .10 or higher.
• According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), children who begin drinking before the age of 15 have a four times greater chance of becoming an alcoholic as an adult than those who begin at 21, the legal drinking age.
• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), first use of alcohol typically begins around the age of 13. Teenagers whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don't, yet only 1 in 4 teens reports having these conversations
  

Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America news release, 4/26/99

Talk to your teens: A qualitative research study conducted by Amica Insurance confirmed that teenagers who talk with them, versus talk at them, may be less at risk to engage in harmful behavior involving alcohol. What's more, teens said they would be more apt not to drink and drive if they had heard directly from their parents how important they are to them.

• Eighth Grade: Slightly less than one in four (22%) of eight grade students report drinking in the past month. Eight percent of eight grade students report being drunk in the past 30 days. About one in seven (14%) of eight grade students report "binge drinking" in the past two weeks.
• Tenth Grade: Four in ten 10th grade students (41%) report drinking in the past month. One quarter of tenth grade students (24%) report being drunk in the past 30 days. One in four (26%) tenth grade students report "binge drinking" in the past two weeks.
• Seniors in High School: Half of all high school seniors (50%) report drinking in the past month. One in three (32%) of high school seniors report being drunk in the past 30 days. Three in ten (30%) of high school seniors report "binge drinking" in the past two weeks.

Source: http://www.centurycouncil.org/underage/underage.html

What will happen if my teenager gets caught with alcohol?

Although underage drinking is against the law, the consequences depend on whether the offender is under 18 (juvenile) or 18-20. With the exception of minor traffic violations, offenses committed by juveniles (under 18) are governed by the Children's Code. These include DWI, open container, and minor in possession. Alcohol-related offenses committed by older adolescents (18-20) are subject to the Motor Vehicle Code or Liquor Control Act, depending on the violation. One exception is the Implied Consent law, which applies to all persons under 21. According to this law, the driving privileges of a first-offender driver under 21 will be revoked for 6 months for a blood alcohol content of .02 or more (one beer). The criminal penalties for this offense differ, depending on whether the driver is 18 to 20 or younger than 18. Although the fines are the same for both, up to $500 for a first offense, adults (18 and above) are also required to attend DWI School and alcohol screening as well as pay certain mandatory fees. No such requirements exist for juvenile offenders (see pages 20-21, summary of Penalties for Under-21 Alcohol-Related Offenses). Consequences, however, also depend on how well laws are enforced and the penalties imposed by the juvenile justice system.

For more information, please visit the following web site:
http://www.conwaygreene.com/nmsu/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-hit-h.htm&2.0

Is it legal for my teen to drink alcohol at home?

In the state of New Mexico, it is a fourth degree felony to knowingly sell, serve, or give alcoholic beverages to a minor, to permit a minor to consume alcoholic beverages, or to assist a minor to buy alcoholic beverages.  However, this law does not apply to parents serving their own children in their home, to an adult spouse of a minor, or to the use of alcohol in religious services.  Minor here means someone under 21 years of age.

For more information, please visit the following web site:
http://www.conwaygreene.com/nmsu/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-hit-h.htm&2.0