Promoting a Safer Community Even one parent can influence policy makers and enforcement agencies and help assure a safe and healthy environment. MADD urges you to get involved by taking the steps below. 1 SUPPORT STRONG LAWS Tell lawmakers that you support the 21 minimum drinking age and want to cut off kids’ ability to obtain alcohol. Encourage programs that: • Require registration and tracking of beer kegs. • Support social host laws that hold adults accountable when they host underage drinking parties. • Limit new or renewed liquor licenses in your community.
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PUSH FOR STRONG ENFORCEMENT Ask police officials and judges to actively enforce “zero tolerance” laws and programs that fight underage drinking. For example:
• After an underage drinker has a traffic crash, urge officials to find out how they got the alcohol and hold those businesses or adults accountable. • Identify and penalize retailers that illegally sell alcohol to youth.
INVOLVE EDUCATORS
• Contact schools in your area and ask what they’re doing to prevent underage alcohol and other substance use. Suggest school assemblies and activities focused on underage substance use prevention at key points throughout the year, such as prom, homecoming, Red Ribbon Week, and spring break.
HOLD ADVERTISERS ACCOUNTABLE
• When you see alcohol or cannabis marketing that targets young people, complain in the comment section and report the post, asking to have that advertising removed.
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