We visited a local convenient store (just blocks from USF) to take a picture in front of public health policy in action. “We I.D.” signs are abundant in convenient stores, restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to remind everyone that alcohol is not legally available to anyone under the age of 21. Alcohol use contributes to more than 4,700 fatalities among youth (under 21) in the US each year (CDC). Excessive alcohol use, especially at an age when the decision and judgment making areas of the brain are not fully developed, is associated with a number of negative health and social impacts including increased rates of violence, suicide, criminal activity, poor school performance, risky sexual behavior, and motor-vehicle crashes. The adoption of the minimum legal drinking age has been one of the United State's efforts to reduce the negative outcomes associated with underage alcohol use. Other alcohol policies impacting youth drinking in the US include increasing alcohol excise taxes, a zero tolerance BAC level among those under 21, nighttime driving restrictions among those under 18, and restrictions on alcohol outlet hours and densities (NIAAA). Many college campuses have attempted to implement additional policies to control the impacts of underage drinking among students including restrictions on alcohol in dorm rooms, requirements to complete alcohol-awareness training before registration, and increasing nighttime bus routes and designated driver services to discourage driving under the influence (Dejong, Towvim, & Schneider, 2007). The widespread negative impacts of excessive alcohol use are clearly a public health issue, and hopefully the next time you see a “We I.D.” sign in your favorite local bar or restaurant, you will be reminded of how serious underage drinking can be!
-Tasneem, Chris, Erin, Zachary, and Nichole
References:
Dejong, W., Towvim,
L.G., & Schneider, S.K. (2007) Support for alcohol-control policies and
enforcement strategies among US college students at 4-year institutions. Journal of American College Health, 46(3),
231-236
NIAAA. Alcohol Policy
Information System (APIS) Retrieved September 20, 2012, from
This is a very good post guys! It is very evident that this convenient store takes IDs seriously. Taking the ID checking process seriously is especially important in an area such as this. There are a lot of underage students who are looking to pick up some beer or liquor and think that they can get away with it. Not only do the employees have to make sure to check the ID, they have to make sure the ID is real and is actually the person trying to buy the alcohol. I know as a bartender that I have the same job, and I take pride in catching people trying to buy alcohol from me when the are not 21. All in all, great post and a great choice for your sticker.
ReplyDeleteI like the topic you picked and also what you posted. Underage drinking is a huge problem especially since we live in an are with so many young students. It's very important that employess thoroughly check a perons ID if they work at a business that sells alcohol. These employees can keep some bad things from happening by preventing underage people from getting their hands on any type of liquor or alcohol I enjoyed reaidn your blog post and I like that you used two pictures so you could clearly see what the sign says.
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