MI Liquor Control Commission has a new tool for reducing underage drinking
November 25, 2013 – To curb the dangers associated with underage and excessive drinking, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission is introducing the newest section of their website, Prevention and Education, a tool for parents, retailers and consumers.
“The Prevention and Education section on the homepage is a great resource full of printable posters and fact sheets that can help retailers and consumers with tips on how to thoroughly check an I.D., fact sheets on binge drinking, and tips for people who are in danger of alcohol poisoning,” said Andrew Deloney, Chairman of the MLCC. “We want retailers, parents, friends, and relatives to know that if they have any doubt about the validity of someone’s ID or any doubt about the person’s age, they have the right to refuse to serve or sell alcohol to them. The loss of one legitimate sale is significantly less than the cost of a liquor violation, and could also have an impact on the health, safety and welfare of Michigan citizens.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), binge drinking is more common among young adults aged 18 – 34 years while binge drinkers aged 65 years and older report binge drinking more often – an average of five to six times a month. The CDC also reports that alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs, and is responsible for more than 4,700 annual deaths among underage youth.
Binge drinking occurs when a man consumes five or more drinks or a woman consumes four or more drinks in a short period of time. Because women metabolize alcohol less efficiently than men and usually have less body mass, they become more intoxicated with a comparable number of drinks. (One drink is generally calculated as a 12 oz. bottle of beer or wine cooler, a 5 oz. glass of wine or 1.5 oz. of 80-proof distilled spirits.) Alcohol poisoning occurs when the alcohol content in a person’s blood increases to the point where it slows down the normal functioning of the brain and how it communicates with other parts of the body.
“We want all Michigan citizens and visitors to have a happy holiday season, so please drink responsibly,” said Deloney.