Jefferson County Step Up Fight Against Underage Drinking, Cracks Down on Fake Licenses
District Attorney stresses importance of responsible behavior and communication heading into graduation weekend

Media Release

WATERTOWN, N.Y., June 24, 2010  —  District Attorney Cindy F. Intschert teamed up with Heineken USA to launch Operation Teen Proof, furthering her commitment to curb underage drinking. 

Operation Teen Proof is designed to prevent anyone under 21 years of age from purchasing alcohol with fake or altered licenses. As part of the program, the District Attorney’s office is providing Security Laminate Verifiers, supplied free-of-charge by Heineken USA, to every licensed alcohol establishment in Jefferson County. The verifiers help determine the authenticity of New York State licenses issued after April 1997. 

“We are grateful to Heineken USA for addressing the problem of underage drinking and supporting our steadfast commitment to fostering a safe community,” said District Attorney Cindy F. Intschert. “We are confident the verifiers will assist our local merchants in identifying fake IDs, and in turn, help prevent dangers associated with underage consumption.” 

With the assistance of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County, Inc., the District Attorney’s office began distributing the verifiers on Memorial Day weekend. Expressing positive feedback around the campaign, local merchants have already begun using the tools in their attempts to avoid underage sales and promote safety. 

As pressures to participate in risky behaviors rise during graduation and summer vacation, it becomes more crucial than ever to increase efforts around responsibility. 

Along with providing effective tools to prevent underage drinking at point of sale, the District Attorney’s office supports efforts to encourage communication with teens about making good decisions, such as those put forth by Heineken USA as a founding member of the Health Alliance on Alcohol.

A national education initiative addressing underage consumption of alcohol through parent/child communications, the Health Alliance on Alcohol provides materials to help parents start and continue the tough conversations with their children around alcohol and the issues teens face. 

As Jefferson County public school students prepare to throw their caps this weekend, the District Attorney’s office encourages parents to take a more active role in their graduate’s safety by following simple steps provided by the Health Alliance on Alcohol: 

1. Communicate- start the conversation with your teen
2. Be aware that alcohol is often easy to access
3. Discuss peer pressure/influence
4. Host a graduation party - just don’t include alcohol
5. Don’t make assumptions when it comes to drinking and driving
6. Have a safety plan
7. Consider the future
8. Remind your kids that pictures on the internet will be seen, and not just by you. 
9. If a teen comes home drunk consider the Emergency Room
10. Use The Health Alliance on Alcohol as a resource 

More details on these ten tips as well as additional resources for communication with teens during prom and graduation season – and any time during adolescence – are available at http://healthallianceonalcohol.com. 

“Heineken has always been committed to the responsible sale, promotion and consumption of our products,” said Dan Tearno, senior vice president and chief corporate relations officer, Heineken USA. “It’s great to see a community come together to play such an active role in the battle against underage drinking, and we are proud to support Jefferson County’s efforts through successful programs like Operation Teen Proof.” 


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