BERLIN – Local efforts to curb underage drinking are expected to continue as recent data shows that Worcester has the highest rate of teenage binge drinking in the state.
Worcester County Health Department officials reported this week that local law enforcement agencies would be receiving $12,500 to fund alcohol compliance checks. The funding comes as a recent survey revealed that 30.9 percent of Worcester County high school students reported binge drinking. That rate is the highest in the state.
“We don’t really have any hard and fast data as to why,” said Lois Twilley, coordinator of special programs for the Worcester County Health Department.
Underage binge drinking, defined by the health department as five or more drinks in a row within a couple hours, has always been a concern for local officials. In 2007, the binge drinking rate for 12th graders in Worcester County was 36.4 percent.
“We’ve always been concerned about underage drinking,” Twilley said. “When we have data that shows the county has the highest rate of binge drinking in the state, it makes it a major concern.”
Compliance checks, which involve an underage police cadet trying to buy alcohol, play a key role in making sure local businesses aren’t selling alcohol to minors. Although Worcester County has nearly 300 alcohol retailers, Twilley said it had one of the best compliance rates in the state.
“It’s above 80 percent, which is really good,” Twilley said. “All of our partners are doing what they can.”
In addition, the Drug and Alcohol Council, a team of health, education, regulatory and social services agency representatives, meets regularly to identify ways to address drinking issues. A variety of educational programs to address underage drinking are also in place locally. The county also offers a server training program to show restaurant staff the importance of preventing underage drinking.
“I think that’s a fantastic effort,” Twilley said. “It helps servers understand why we want them to serve responsibly.”
A recent compliance check by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office resulted in 19 businesses being visited. Six of them sold alcohol to an underage police cadet.
Liquor licensees who fail compliance checks are forced to appear before the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners and can face warnings, fines, suspensions and even potentially the termination of their alcoholic beverage license.