Local
Mandatory 21 in East Baton Rouge gets defeated.
Sharon
Ayres, Louisiana Alliance
and Linda Hull MADD, Advocate Baton Rouge City Council Meeting
on Mandatory 21
Can't go to Casino's but drinking in Bars seems ok!--
Wednesday Night, the Baton Rouge Mandatory 21disallowing 18-20 in
bars ordinance got
support from 4 of the Baton Rouge City
Council members.
We thank these brave folks (Burgess, Addison,
Carter, Benham) who actually support enforcing the law and only
allowing those old enough to
purchase alcohol into bars where their primary purpose is to sell
alcohol.
Common sense seemed to be misplaced it seems by some on
the council last night, or maybe it was the threats brought forward by
the Alcohol Lobby. Why the Alcohol Lobby would even be involved is
interesting to many. The issue had nothing to do with drinking.
It had everything to
do with enforcing the current law requiring an individual to adhere to
the law. Those attending were the best example of the fact that a
loophole allows the law to be broken. It is disappointing that
council members would choose to continue to allow the law to be broken.
Especially when you consider the Underage Drinking at LSU Tigerland
area Bars and a near fatal Accident over the weekend
--
Certainly Michael B. Oniell, 20, 400 Eastwood
Drive, Franklin, charged with first-offense DWI, failure to maintain
control of a vehicle, seat-belt violation and negligent vehicular
injuring would have appreciated the law being enforced,
this past weekend, when he and 3 underage friends were supposedly
drinking at LSU Tigerland bars, and after a night of underage illegal
bar drinking, left the bar, and had
a car crash---the intoxicated 20yr old, might not have been in Tigerland,
if it were not for the loophole luxury afforded to alcohol outlets close
to LSU. Many bar owners and underage drinking advocates stated
in public the serious nature of underage drinking in bars in this city,
on Wednesday night. The other clear point made by opponents; money
is the driving force on this issue. Alcohol produces huge
revenues. Vanessa Savoy, a 19yr old woman in Mr. Oniell's
car, now fights for her life a coma, she is proof of the
effects of this loophole. Another Family spoke at the
 hearing
on this ordinance, the Domangue Family, their 19yr old son, attending
LSU, living near Tigerland, died in October of 2003 from alcohol
poisoning. Several others spoke on their children's deaths related
to underage drinking. I can't help but wonder why have a law
that can't be enforced? There is no real reason for this, other
than the claim for money by bar owners, we know underage illegal
drinking produces $23 Billion a year in profits to the nation's alcohol
industry, setting the stage for lifetime of continued revenues for those
who survive.
"It's like putting a kid in a candy store, and telling them
not to touch the candy"
Advocate Newspaper quote from local area teen on loophole
allowing 18-20 into bars
Baton Rouge City Council Mandatory 21- Hearing 2/25/04
ACTION Alert!
Attend, Get Facts, Or Write BR
Council
Shreveport and Alexandria have laws that prevent people younger than
21 from entering bars unless they're
accompanied by a parent or guardian already we hope Baton Rouge will
soon have the same!
Making money off underage drinkers, is not what these folks want to talk
about, but it is clearly the issue at hand. Money--should come
second to sending a clear message on alcohol and the law.
This is really an interesting process to watch! We know that Baton
Rouge youth are drinking in bars, without a fake Id-and the proposed
ordinance would no longer allow 18 year olds into bars.
This
is a pretty simple harm reduction effort, that has worked in other
parish's in the state. It is by no means a "fix all" but one
effort in a comprehensive push to reduce the number of injuries, crimes,
deaths, and long term health issues facing those under 21 in EBR,
especially LSU students. Proposed by Councilman Jim Benham (He is
my Councilman, and I am really proud of his efforts to do the right
thing!) We stand to greatly improve Enforcement Measures especially
close to the LSU area--where Purchase and Pass is a way of life for
students in crowded bars off campus.
Underage Drinking in Bars Impacts LSU students just this past
weekend:
Right now, a young woman in Baton Rouge (19yr old) a LSU student, is in
the hospital fighting for her life in a coma, after she and other
underage friends left a off campus bar this past weekend, in "Tigerland"
after a night of drinking. The 20yr old who was driving was charged with
DWI and Vehicular Injury. This young woman's mother spoke with us today,
and she is need of our prayers and support--This is one more very sad
injury, greatly impacting many.
 For
Lousiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking, MADD and local
advocates, Recovering Parents from HopeNetworks, and WeRecover, and the
Faith Community will all speak in favor of this Ordinance.
Opposed
Paid for Liquor Lobbyists from New Orleans, Chris Young has been
speaking as an advocate for underage drinking- and working to find
support from Bar owners- and underage youth who want to keep their seat
at the bar!!
It is hard to believe that money for bar owners could justify leaving
this loophole open with is a direct permission slip for youth to break
the law.
Read this Advocate Article--- Few Quotes and Respones!
"It's obvious that there are establishments that make a living
selling alcohol to underage people," Quigley said. "If an 18-year-old
gets into a bar, they're going to get a drink."
Enough Said !by Mr. Quigley a bar owner! We need to send a clear
message not stick our heads in the sand and say "Oh well they break the
law and that's that" Alcohol is the most abused drug in the
U.S.--the Drinking age is 21 not 18, and keeping youth out of bars will
surely assist in enforcement of the existing law.
"Where do they go now?" he asked. "Are they going to turn to drugs?
They're going to find trouble somehow."
What in the world does this guy mean? Going to find trouble?
Does he know that 3 deaths of underage LSU students directly related to
alcohol happened just last semester alone?
What
about the young woman in a coma as I type this? Drugs?
LSU 2002 Student Drug
Use from Harvard might be of great help in clarifying drug use by
LSU Students. We really need to educate these folks, Alcohol is by far
the most abused drug in the country and LSU students. Solutions
for entertainment in our community are possible, and that is exactly
what the CCCC at LSU is here for, and I am sure they would love to help
find safe/alcohol-free/music venues for those under 21 who want live
music!
"These are well-intentioned people, but they don't
have any experience with what's going on," he said. (Bar Owner)
Well Intentioned! True! But he should add well informed,
experienced, and educated! Alcohol is the leading related
cause of death for youth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get Real!We hope our experience might help reduce the
same harms to others, and we are not paid to speak on this issue, simply
concerned. Too many deaths of LSU students and others drinking in
bars underage, urgent action is needed. We don't make more money
if it is passed, but instead see less harm in our communities--in
fact--one thing not mentioned, if it doesn't reduce the harm we can
always change the law back! Please remember that those who are
critical of this ordinance, are also the ones who are making money
off these illegal underage drinkers.
More Alcohol Policy in
East Baton Rouge |
