Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Through Law Enforcement Supported By Active Community Coalitions

The goal of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Program is to support and enhance State efforts, in cooperation with local jurisdictions, to enforce laws prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages, or the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors. For the purpose of the program, minors are defined as individuals under 21 years of age.

Nebraska will continue its partnership with Project Extra Mile, a statewide network of community coalitions covering over 50 percent of the state's population. Coalition and community organizing efforts are currently underway in the following counties: Cedar, Dawson, Dodge, Douglas, Hall, Madison, Saunders, Sarpy, Scotts Bluff, Washington, and Wayne. The organization's mission is 'to create a community consensus that clearly states that underage alcohol use is illegal, unhealthy and unacceptable.' Project Extra Mile's primary, five-pronged areas of focus include 1) enforcement collaborations 2) media advocacy 3) policy initiatives 4) education and awareness and 5) youth involvement. Young people involved in the coalition's efforts engage in leadership activities throughout the year, including an annual leadership training and legislative day. The organization focuses its efforts on environmental prevention strategies that are population-based and strategies implemented work to change community norms and standards that demonstrate that underage drinking is acceptable. The majority of efforts are focused on adults, who create the environment in which young people live. The coalition engages in strategies outlined in the Institute of Medicine's 2003 report to Congress on best practices with regard to underage drinking prevention.

NCA/NCF