Published:
Wednesday,
November 2, 2005
11/02/05 - To the Cigar
I
am writing in response to the Cigar editorial, "RhodeMap policy
redundant" (Oct. 28). In criticizing the RhodeMap to Safety campaign's
Cooperating Tavern and Cooperating Liquor Store programs, the author stated that
the problem of illegal alcohol purchases by underage students "does not lie
in the stores that sell to underage students," but rather with the underage
student "who feels the need to go out and use a fake ID to get alcohol
illegally." The author further advised that the RhodeMap to Safety campaign
should not spend its money on these programs and instead should be
"educating students about drinking heavily or drunk driving."
We agree completely that we need to address those underage URI students who
might be tempted to use a false ID to buy alcohol. Clearly, misrepresenting
one's identify - for whatever reason - is a serious matter that requires a law
enforcement response. But the best way that we can address this problem is to
make our students aware that local bars, taverns and package stores are training
their clerks to check IDs and to turn over false IDs. That is exactly why we
launched the Cooperating Tavern and Cooperating Package Store programs.
URI students should look for storefront signs in Narragansett that say
"Responsible Alcohol Beverage Service Practiced Here." This means no
alcohol service for customers under age 21, customers who are intoxicated, or
customers whose continued drinking would put them at risk of intoxication. For
more information, visit the RhodeMap to Safety web site at www.uri.edu/alcohol/rhodemap.
We also believe that it's important to use multiple approaches to "educate
students about drinking heavily or drunk driving." That's why we've given
over $40,000 to the Narragansett and URI Police to increase enforcement
activities and spent thousands more publicizing this increased enforcement. It's
important that students know that DUI enforcement is a priority and that the
likelihood of being arrested for driving under the influence has never been
higher.
It was never the intent of RhodeMap to Safety to imply that Narragansett
retailers don't take enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age and
responsible beverage service seriously. We know that they do. Our goal is to use
our team's collective 30+ years of experience in the area of alcohol abuse
prevention to work with Narragansett alcohol retailers AND to provide them with
positive publicity for their demonstration of civic responsibility. We also
intend to keep working until all Narragansett alcohol retailers are part of the
Cooperative Tavern Agreement.
Mark Wood
Associate Professor
Co-Director, URI's Common Ground