Instead, youth stressed the use of alcohol as a way to cope with problems. Personally, when I drink, it's to forget about my problems, or because I've had a bad day. The information gathered from the communities, available reports, and expert testimony was presented to the Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force. Its members, who met monthly from August through December 1996, identified seven problem areas, five guiding principles, and 41 solutions, which they prioritized to 14 major recommendations. The latter were selected by majority vote and are listed on the following page in order of priority.
Principles Promote parental responsibility.
Impose immediate consequences on juvenile offenders, including those who violate underage drinking laws. Support effective, research-based prevention programs. Include youth as decision makers on task forces and committees that impact their lives. Recognize that underage drinking is a reflection of other complex societal problems that require coordinated efforts by individuals, communities, and governmental entities. Enact a local option alcohol excise tax to provide adequate funding for alcohol and other substance abuse programs as determined by each community.