Law allows underage drinkers to be charged
Police previously could only charge supplier of alcohol
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - - The township has a new weapon in its battle to stop underage drinking.

The Township Council last week adopted an ordinance authorizing police to charge underage drinkers even if they are on private property. Previously, underage drinkers were immune from prosecution unless they were caught on public or semi-public property.

But several years ago, the state Legislature began allowing towns the ability to adopt stricter laws, and a recent spate of police encounters with underage drinking led East Brunswick officials to take action.

According to the ordinance, the penalty for a first offense is $250 fine, while a second offense is $350. But what may scare teenagers even more are the other possible punishments. Anyone found guilty of underage drinking can have his or her driver's license suspended, and if an underage drinker does not yet have a license, the court can postpone his or her eligibility to get one.

Previously, only the person who supplies the alcohol could be punished if police caught persons drinking underage. Homeowners can also be punished, as long as it is proven they approved of the activity.

The new ordinance was spearheaded by Councilman David Stahl, who is also a municipal prosecutor.

During the April 16 council meeting, members of the National Council on Alcoholism, the Drug Alliance of Middlesex County, and East Brunswick's alcohol and drug alliance spoke up about the problems of underage drinking and the benefits of the new ordinance.

Jennifer Smith, of the National Council on Alcoholism, said that underage drinking plays a large role in everything from rapes and assaults to car accidents and even suicides.

"You need this ordinance to close a loophole," she said.

Smith said that not only do many young people drink, they drink a lot. She cited some New Jersey statistics that show almost 10 percent of seventh-graders have used alcohol in the past month, and nearly half of New Jersey high school students used alcohol during the same period.

"We need to keep our youth alive and thriving," she said.

Some parents are a negative role model for their children, Smith said. For example, a parent may get home from work and have a drink to relieve stress, something that can inspire a child to also use alcohol for stress.

Township Council President Nancy Pinkin said some parents are so afraid of their children using drugs that they almost encourage them to use alcohol, reasoning that it's safer. While it can be safer than drugs, alcohol is still dangerous if overused or misused. Smith pointed out how it affects the decision-making process, causes people to become aggressive, and can have harmful affects on a body that is still developing.

Stahl said he hopes people quickly become aware of the new law, which will take effect in early May.

He also noted that some towns are tagging kegs of beer so that they can be traced to the store that sold them. Also, there is a movement to stop the euphemistic advertising of alcohol, as some companies refer to it as "lemonade" and other disingenuous monikers.

Stahl said he wants to use revenue that results from underage drinking fines for an educational campaign to discourage such activity.

Despite the new ordinance, someone who is underage can still drink as long as they are in the company of a guardian or a relative who has given them permission.