SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE TERRY SPENCE COMMENDS
NEW STATE INITIATIVE AIMED AT REDUCING
UNDERAGE DRINKING IN DELAWARE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2008
Contact: Stephanie Mantegna,
House of Representatives, 302-577-8515
stephanie.mantegna@state.de.us
Speaker of the House Terry R. Spence (R-Stratford) today announced a positive outcome of a task force he established to help reduce the underage consumption of alcohol and drunk driving in Delaware.
The Alcohol Awareness Task Force, proposed by Speaker Spence and chaired by Brian Fischer, Vice President of Community Relations for The Charmer Sunbelt Group, was created under House Resolution 17 during the last legislative session. The Charmer Sunbelt Group is one of the nation’s leading alcohol distributors and is committed to the legal and responsible sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, in conjunction with the Task Force, has begun a new initiative that recognizes Delaware liquor licensees that refuse to sell alcoholic beverages to individuals under the age of 21.
Under the new initiative, if a licensed location denies the sale of an alcoholic beverage to a minor decoy—who under the direct supervision of an agent is attempting to buy the alcoholic beverage—the licensee will be rewarded with a certificate of appreciation from the state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement acknowledging its compliance with Delaware law.
Prior to this effort, the licensed location often would not know that they had been tested and passed the compliance check. The certificate is aimed at recognizing those locations that are compliant with Delaware’s law as it pertains to refusing to sell alcohol to minors.
According to Daniel Kline, Director of the state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, “We created the certificate program as a result of the work being done by the Task Force. I am encouraged that this is another step toward ensuring that minors are not able to purchase alcohol in Delaware. A vast majority of the licensees comply with the law and deny the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. We feel that it is vitally important to acknowledge those licensees who are doing the right thing and following the law.”
Speaker Spence stated, “I am very proud of the Task Force’s work so far. In addition to Director Kline, we have a number of individuals serving on the Task Force that are dedicated to finding ways to help prevent underage drinking and the related risks and dangers associated with such behavior. The Task Force will continue to work to raise awareness and expand the message that underage drinking will not be tolerated in Delaware.”
Mr. Fischer said, “The fight against underage drinking must continue to be a collaborative effort in order to be effective.”
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