Traits and Patterns of Young Alcohol Law Offenders
| Author | Robert Little,Mike Bishop |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9707000212 |
| Published date | 01 April 1997 |
| Date | 01 April 1997 |
MIKE BISHOP, MS
District Supervisor, Alabama A.B.C. Board Enforcement Division,
USA
ROBERT LITTLE, Ph.D.
Criminal Justice Dept, University
of
North Alabama
TRAITS AND PATTERNS OF YOUNG
ALCOHOL LAW OFFENDERS
Introduction
Knowledge gives one power. This article attempts to empower the police
with two specific forms of knowledge regarding the enforcement of under
age alcohol offences (thepossession, consumption or purchase of alcoholic
beverages by minors). The first form of knowledge, helpful in the
enforcement of any type of offence, is a logical, rational, foundation
of
reasons why under age alcohol abuse is a matterworthy of serious attention
by police. Surveys reveal many officers do not believe this type of offence
is worthy of much time, energy or enforcement effort. IReasons cited by
officers for lack of commitment to this problem include difficulties with
juvenile processing and paperwork, lack of juvenile detention facilities,
and problems with the courts.' We hope to prove that there are sound
reasons for making this type of enforcement activity a priority.
This article supplies a second, powerful type of knowledge, based on
the assumption that it is advantageous for police to know as much as
possible about their "opponents" in order to be victorious. The article will
explain the traits and behaviour patterns of this special class of offender.
This information originates from our own statistical analysis of a large
sample of arrestees, as well as from findings of other criminological studies.
Knowledge
ofthe
methods used by offenders to illegally obtain, purchase
and consume alcohol will help officers discover and react to such offences.
If you are an officer of the law who has been of the opinion that
youthful drinking is a harmless behaviour, a traditional and customary rite
of passage into manhood, abehaviour among children and youths that is
not really worthy of your time and energy, then we hope the following
section will help to change your mind.
Reasons
for
Serious
Attention
to
Under
Age Alcohol
Abuse
New laws
States have raised the legal age for drinking from 18 to 21 years of age.
This had created a new and large class of potential offenders; many of them
are disgruntled over the new, higher age limit. Furthermore, many states
have cracked down on drink driving and have lowered the legal level of
intoxication from .10 to .08. Legislation is pending in some jurisdictions
to make virtually any level of alcohol in the blood a crime for those under
age 21, when operating a motor vehicle. Substantial community pressure
exists from groups such as M.A.D.D. and S.A.D.D (mothers and students
April
1997 The Police Journal 159
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