Alcohol Compliance Checks were conducted Friday, Oct. 5, on local businesses in Blair, which are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. A compliance check is a tool to identify alcohol establishments that sell alcohol to underage youth. The checks were coordinated by the Blair Police Department, Wichita Mountains Prevention Network, and student volunteers.

The youth volunteers (under the age of 21) assisted law enforcement as underage buyers. The students entered the businesses and attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages. Out of the five checks done, two retail establishments were not in compliance.

Illegal alcohol use by underage minors contributes to various crimes, car crashes, injuries, and even deaths across the State of Oklahoma. Public Health officials report that alcohol use and abuse is also associated with sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, sexual assault, and other health problems.

According to Wichita Mountains Prevention Network Prevention Specialist Kim Booker, “We have learned that the community and our youth are safer and healthier when they don’t start using alcohol under after they are 21 years of age.”