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Area law enforcement agencies, in partnership with Drug Free Jackson (formerly known as the Jackson County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition) are conducting alcohol compliance checks this summer to ensure retailers aren’t selling alcohol to minors. Vendors, such as restaurants, retail stores, and golf courses are all eligible to be checked.

 “Retailers have a responsibility to ensure they comply with the rules of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission as well as state and local laws to prevent the sale to those under the age of 21,” explains Elmer Hitt, Director of Police and Fire Services, for the City of Jackson. “Participating in the alcohol compliance checks brings a level of enforcement, awareness, and education that is necessary in order to reduce alcohol use by minors.” 

A compliance check is conducted in the following manner: An underage individual, under supervision of a law enforcement officer, attempts to buy alcohol at an alcohol vendor. If the employee making the sale doesn’t verify the person’s age, and therefore sells to a minor, both the employee and the business will be cited in accordance with the Michigan Liquor Control Code of 1998. Selling to minors is a misdemeanor, resulting in monetary fines and possibly loss of the vendor’s liquor license.

Compliance checks are not intended to trap alcohol vendors, explains Emma Sigman, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for Drug Free Jackson. “Instead they are used to encourage them to make sure their employees know and follow Michigan law when it comes to the purchase and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages.” This is one of the many reasons Drug Free Jackson and local law enforcement strive to partner with alcohol vendors to ensure they have the tools and knowledge necessary to address the issue of selling to minors. Working together can help the county in reaching their goal of 100% compliance.

 Funding for the compliance checks is provided through a grant from the Drug Free Communities Support Program. In addition, Drug Free Jackson provides free education to retailers, training half of all alcohol vendors in Jackson County each year on how to educate employees, proper signage and how to identify illegal sales.

 

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