Virginia Underage Drinking

Underage drinking has turned in to one of the country’s most confounding public health issues. Modern technology such as the internet, the television, the radio and mobile phones have made the issue even more difficult to overcome. Different states have launched several strategies on how they plan to stop underaged drinking; however, few states have achieved more success at keeping underage drinking at bay than Virginia. With only 29.14% of minors reported to have drank  alcohol in 2004, Virginia underage drinking certainly is on the right track to becoming one of the more controlled underaged drinking states in the country.[1]^,[2]

Year after year, Virginia underage drinking laws are being improved, amended, revised and are continually being developed in the hopes of preventing any underage alcohol-related incidents.

One Virginia underage drinking law originally stated that, It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to operate any motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. A violation of this section shall be punishable by forfeiture of such person’s license to operate a motor vehicle for a period of six months from the date of conviction and by a fine of not more than $500.[3] Compared to other states, Virginia’s Zero Tolerance law already seems quite stern at that. Then again, Virginia’s state officials apparently were still not satisfied and gave the penalties an upgrade during a recent General Assembly. From a minimum fine of $500, violators will be facing a fine of up to $2,500 and instead of a 6-month suspension of the driver’s license, suspension may now be extended up to a year. And if that’s not enough, violators may also be put into jail for a year and/or made do 50 hours of community service.[4]^,[5] It is clear that in the state of Virginia, underage drinking is being taken seriously.

Also, the state of Virginia highlighted the role parents play in the prevention of underage drinking. A brochure released by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control stressed parents’ responsibility and accountability for their children. Apart from laws that attempt to punish minors who possess and consume alcohol, the state of Virginia created laws that would penalize the minor’s parents as well. If a child hurts other people or destroys property while under the influence of alcohol, parents are liable to compensate for the damages and in the worst circumstances, parents may also face criminal charges for the acts perpetrated by their children.[6]

Every person has once been an adolescent and therefore understands this free and risk-taking behaviour. With this, underage drinking no longer becomes a question of WHY these kids are drinking alcohol, rather a question of HOW these children are able to access alcoholic beverages. No matter how curious they are about drinking alcohol, if they CANNOT—they won’t.  Success in controlling Virginia underage drinking is because its laws recognize that it is more important to raise awareness among the people who can influence these minors, than in the minors themselves.