In an initiative by the American Medical Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, communities have been encouraged to recognize that only marginal success can be expected from traditional efforts to reduce underage drinking which have focused solely on youth education programming that aimed at convincing young people not to drink. During its deliberation, the Joint Task Force embraced the need for a wide variety of new approaches including the search for solutions through environmental change, community partnerships, State and local laws and law enforcement, and educational initiatives. As a result, the Joint Task Force has been able to identify certain major findings, presented below without rank order. Although these are identified as major findings, not all have necessarily been addressed in the final recommendations. A majority of the students testifying before the Joint Task Force indicated that they knew someone who had been raped after they had been drinking alcohol.
Students are skeptical about the value of alternative activities in reducing alcohol consumption.
Students indicated that a fake ID is easily obtained in Lawrence, and bar owners testified that the fake ID problem is increasing. Students did not believe that a citation for drinking under age was a deterrent to drinking in that it only imposed a financial cost, and not one that affects them in other ways. Some college-age students who testified indicated that some bar owners do not stop service to students who appear to be intoxicated, and do not keep tabs on the numbers of drinks served. Students emphasized the importance of having transportation that is easily available for those who are intoxicated. HINU students, in particular, felt isolated from such services.