 3170 deaths  300,ooo DWI crashes  540,o00 violent crimes  1.2 million property crimes  400,000 risky sexual encounters  100,000 alcohol poisonings & psychoses  70,000 kids in alcohol treatment Miller, T.R. (2009) Societal Costs of Underage Drinking

 Prevention experts agree that strengthening and enforcing alcohol sales and service regulations is an effective strategy for reducing alcohol-related harm. * Source: World Health Organization, Institute of Medicine, CDC Community Guide, Join Together Online

 35 states have ABC officers who are sworn peace officers  The average number of ABC agents that primarily enforce alcohol laws per state: 54  Average number of licensed retail outlets per state: 14, 112  Range of ABC agents per state: 3 to 260  National ratio: 1 agent for every 268 licensed establishments Source: Ramirez, PIRE

Enforcement Media Licensed community Increased awareness and perception of penalty Increased licensee compliance Regulations Laws Reduced alcohol related harm

 State agencies are often under funded by those elected to public office and who vote for budgets. “Can’t the local police do this job?” (State of Maine)  There are rarely have enough resources to get the job done adequately.  Generally, we do not do a good job of making the connection between our enforcement role and public safety, public welfare and quality of life.

 The enforcement of statutes and regulations that seem to lack importance! (“What’s the big deal?”)  We often don’t do a good job at explaining our role and responsibility to those who give us oversight. (legislators - the public)  Advocating for the adoption of rules and regulations that are often unenforceable and paint us into a corner. “If we enforce these provisions as written then everyone will be in violation.”

 Statutory authority for enforcement of alcohol laws (exclusive or joint authority to enforce).  Administrative Process – potentially challenging for traditional law enforcement who are more accustom to trials and motor vehicle hearings.  Adjudications and Penalties – Law enforcement may shy away from enforcement is they perceive the penalties do not match effort put into the enforcement of alcohol laws.

 The Missouri legislature has cut over $1 million from its Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, leaving 5 agents to monitor 12,000 liquor licenses, the Associated Press reported June 14,  The burden will now be on local law enforcement to bridge the regulatory gap -- checking licenses and monitoring the sale of alcohol to minors -- a task police officials say stresses an already overextended police force.  "Everyone knows we don't have the funds to continue the way we were before," said Sen. Kurt Schaefer, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "We can only enforce what we can afford to enforce.“

Tom Roth Captain Westbrook Maine Police Michelle Robert Assistant Attorney General State of Maine