By Bill Spitzer

P & I Coordinator Parenting Resource Center

Many things contribute to that first use of an illegal substance but one factor that contributes to the problem is accessibility.

If you can’t get it, it is tough to use or abuse it. You may have been following the news about our legislators reintroducing Sunday off-sale alcohol sales again this session.  The House bill would repeal a law that has been in place since Minnesota became a state in 1858.

Minnesota is one of only 12 states in the U.S. that bans Sunday liquor sales.  The House bill would allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays, but not before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Austin currently authorizes five establishments to sell on-sale liquor on Sundays.

The arguments will certainly go back and forth over the next several weeks before it will come to a vote. One might argue that one more day of availability would not matter either way, but it will always play an active role on whether we can lay our hands on something immediately.  Something some of us were reminded of during the holidays when we tried to buy a hatchimal.  You know that egg toy that hatched if you interacted with it.

Many wanted it immediately but many went home empty handed.

So how do our young people get alcohol?  According to the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), most young people obtained alcohol at parties, which was followed closely by having someone else purchase it for them. Having minors at a party that is serving alcohol opens up many consequences, not only for the underage person consuming, but for the property owner and/or host of the party. A few months ago the city’s social host ordnance was used to charge people hosting such a party.  Since 2009, Austin has had such a law on the books to help reduce underage consumption by discouraging accessibility at parties.

As for someone else purchasing for minors, that is where you the good citizen come in. We all have a role in reducing underage consumption of alcohol and if you see something that doesn’t look right, report it.

Call the police, tell the liquor store clerk or tell their parents. Law Enforcement certainly are doing their part by making sure liquor establishments don’t serve minors. A few months ago seven out of eight businesses passed compliance checks conducted by the police department. Without a doubt, most businesses are doing their part in reducing accessibility to alcohol for those underage. Would you be willing to step up to plate and do your part?

Bill Spitzer is the Planning and Implementation (P & I) Coordinator working closely with APAC (Austin Positive Action Coalition).