The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) are setting their sights on a critical issue: underage drinking. With a new school year on the horizon, TABC is notably ramping up alcohol compliance checks throughout the state. Agents are poised to ensure that liquor retailers adhere strictly to the law, selling alcoholic beverages only to those of legal drinking age. Additionally, TDMHSAS Substance Use Prevention Coalitions are stepping into the fray, carrying out undercover buy operations aimed at assessing and guarantee compliance.
According to an announcement made by the TABC, these efforts come at a time when young people are particularly vulnerable. “Young people are particularly susceptible to alcohol-related issues, with binge drinking and related accidents posing significant risks to their health and safety. By addressing underage drinking head-on, we can protect the well-being of our youth and ensure they have the opportunity to thrive in an environment where alcohol is not easily accessible or often abused. Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for our young people,” stated TABC Executive Director, Russell Thomas. The operation's goal is to firmly prevent the negative impacts that can stem from underage drinking and to nurture an environment conducive to the growth and safety of Tennessee's youth.
The drive to address underage drinking aligns with the recent findings released by TDMHSAS. Data harvested from the TN Together Student Survey—which took responses from over 23,000 students in grades 8th, 10th, and 12th—revealed that while more than 30% have dabbled in alcohol consumption at some point, there's a silver lining: regular drinking rates among students have nosedived from 17% in 2018-2019 to a lower 11%, according to the latest survey numbers.
"The decline in frequent drinking among high schoolers shows efforts like this and community-based work by our Substance Use Prevention Coalitions and other groups is paying off," TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW, told Tennessee's official news portal. However, she went on to discuss a sobering statistic: around 60% of students claimed they could easily obtain alcohol if they so desired.
