Many are asking why reports showing compliancy, and virtually no underage sales, differ so greatly from local law enforcement & communities are experiencing

Slidell's Problems noted in 2003-and still the problem is growing!
History on this Issue see Links Below:

Alcohol Awareness Month-HopeNetworks action '03
 to increase awareness in Louisiana related to youth and risks and harm.

Video Interview (Windows Media File)   Slidell Police Chief, and Underage Alcohol Problems.
 

4/17Video New Orleans Health Sciences Press Release
on o of Underage Alcohol Access Impacting High Risk Children

 

Our Letter to Murphy Painter (ATF-charged with responsibility of underage access law enforcement)

Print .pdf of interview clearly showing alcohol's impact on youth read the
Transcript of Hopenetworks interview with Police Chief Drennan

Audio Only Version of the Slidell Interview (Windows Media Player needed)

4/17 Press Text Transcript of Video/Audio Slidell Police Chief/HopeNetworks Interview

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Copy of our Hopenetworks petition from 2003 supporting closing the loophole allowing youth/college kids  access to alcohol

HopeNetworks 21 is 21 petition to support  Legislation to reduce underage risks and alcohol

Federal Report Addressing the National Crisis with Underage Drinking
Read the NAS report

25 cited with selling alcohol to minors -Article from Times Picayune
Slidell police target clerks, bar workersBy Paul Rloux St. Tammany bureau
Louisiana Enforcement Officials claim underage youth are not getting access to alcohol as you can see in their published reports, however communities are certainly reflecting a different truth, that indeed only 1 outlet out of 25 complied with the law.

In a continuing crackdown on alcohol sales to minors, Slidell police cited 25 cashiers, bar­tenders and waitresses who sold beer to underage volunteers working with police Friday night, authorities said.   Police said just one employee checked the identification of the volunteers — an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man — as they tried to buy a single can or bottle of beer at more than 20 stores, bars and restaurants across the city during the 10-hour sting.

"We were extremely surprised by the results," Slidell police spokesman Lt, Rob Callahan said Tuesday. "Underage drinking is a big problem, and it doesn't help when retailers are selling beer to minors as if it was a Coke."

The only business where either volunteer was "carded" was at The Asylum nightclub in Olde Towne. The male volunteer bought beer from five bartenders and waitresses there before being refused by a sixth, said Callahan, who, noted the volunteer was wearing a club wristband identifying him as being under 21.

"One store owner complained that the male volunteer looked like he was 28," Callahan said.  "I haven't seen the volunteer myself, but that's certainly not a valid excuse. If you think a per­son looks older than 21, you should still check their ID to make sure."

The operation is part of an ongoing crackdown on underage drinking that included 10 citations last fall and 31 in 2001, Police Chief Freddy Drennan said.

"I can assure all employees where alcoholic beverages are sold that these operations will continue without warning," he said.

Here's a list of those who were issued summons to appear in court April 14 for allegedly selling alcohol to a minor Friday, They face up to a $100 fine or 60 days in jail. The list includes the business where the alleged violation occurred. All addresses are in Slidell unless noted.

Samantha Jo Young, 22,, 174 Rainey Drive, Win-Dixie, 851 Brown's Switch Road.

Anne Muennink, 37, 1890 Gause Blvd. West, GG's Drink Shop, 604 Robert Blvd.

Paula Laguaite, 46, 1434 Con­stitution Drive, Daiquiri Sports Bar, 1428 Gause Blvd.

Ronata Toney, 23, 514 Cypress St., Shell station at 3296 Bontchartrain Drive.

Shaina Nichole Tarver, 19, of New Orleans, Pilot Travel Cen­ter, 368 Voters Road.

Ceiissa Ann Collins, 37, 1205 Tupelo St., Jack's Discount Bev­erages, 1126 Old Spanish Trail.

Chien Van Tran, 31, 14371 Saigon Drive, New Orleans, Conoco station at 620 Old Span­ish Trail.

Yudell Jankson, 64, 2128 Sgt, Alfred Drive, Jackson's Grocery, 2128 Third St.

Norman Dutte, 65, 501 Cross Gates Blvd., Quick Check, 1414 Fremaux Ave.

Ronda Breland, 27, 116 York­shire Drive, Lone Star Steak-house, 1553 Gause Blvd.

Brandy Badingor, 20, 2601 Old Spanish Trail, Danny & Clyde's, 1504 Gause Blvd.

Lawonda Galloway, 22, of Ocean Springs, Miss., Circle K, 1150 Front St. Diane Davis, 49, 1165 St. Anthony St.

Eckerd Drugs, 167 W.Gause Blvd .A  Hansen, C,9, 61303 Juttan\ Drive.

Fiesta Restau­rant, 150 North Shore Blvd.

Maily Nguyen, 21, 62198 N. 13th St., Shell station at 183 North Shore Blvd.

Patrick Villneurve, 38, 60314 Emerald Drive, Chevron station at 101 North Shore Blvd.

Linda Innerarity, 51, 37084 Fifth St., Rite Aid, 114 W Gause Blvd.

Latasha Robinson, 21, 2738 Lincoln Ave., Shell station at 853 Gause Blvd.

Michael Jorgensen, 23, 60131 Transmitter Road, Lacombe, Daiquiri & Company, 1326 Gause Blvd.

Christine Lacroix, 21, 423 Woodbridge Loop, Jubilee/ Speedway, 1418 Gause Blvd.

The following five employees of The Asylum at 227 Cousin St. were arrested for allegedly sell­ing alcohol to the male volunteer. Officers used their discre­tion to make arrests rather than issue summonses because the volunteer's wristband identify­ing him as being underage was in plain view, Callahan said.

Micbele Haag Parker, 31, 65361 Adams Drive, Pearl River.

Sherne Mario Cythia Den.se Corbett, 21, 803 Buck Run, Pearl River.

Jessica Leeann Kelly, 19, of Picayune, Miss.

Melissa Marie Brennan, 21, 508 Voters Road.

Paul Riioux  can be  reached at prioux@timespicayune.com or (985) 645-2852.