• Any person who sells, gives or furnishes an alcoholic beverage to a minor can receive a fine up to $1,000 and up to 32 hours of community service.
• If a minor consumes alcohol and causes great bodily injury or death to themselves or any other person, the provider of the alcohol can receive up to a year in county jail and a fine of $1,000
• An alcohol retailer who sells alcohol to a minor faces heavy fines and the possibility of losing his or her license to sell alcohol.

The Truth About Youth and Underage Drinking

FACT: Young people imitate adults. Truth is an estimated 6.9 million American junior and senior high students can walk into a store and buy alcohol themselves.

Not surprisingly it is a very tough job to teach children that alcohol is not an option for them. Especially when parent compromise with youth and allow them to drink if they promise not to drive. Unfortunately, this only results in more youth that are more likely to drive after drinking or be in a car with someone who has.

FACT: In 1997, 5,477 young people died in motor vehicle crashes and 21% of the young drivers involved in fatal crashed has been drinking.

(NHTSA, 1999)
Help protect yourself, your children and your community by supporting Zero Tolerance laws.

How you can help protect yourself , your children, and your community.

Set a good example

• Your actions speak louder than your words.

Host responsibly by:

• Offering a variety of non-alcohol beverages for designated drivers
• Ask guests to chose a designated driver before the party start
• Don't serve underage youth
• Never allow guests who have been drinking to drive.

Watch for signs

• Keep your eyes open for signs of abuse like dropping grades, switching friends, missing money, and withdrawal. If you sense a problem follow your instincts and seek help. It could save their lives.
• As a parent and teacher, teach them that at any age actions have consequences and that every choice matters. Begin talking to them at an early age about alcohol. Ages 9 to 11 are considered a good time to start. Set firm and reasonable rules that you plan to enforce. Make it clear that alcohol is not an option for them until they are 21. Also teach them about true friendship, so when peer pressure begins they will have a way to stand up for themselves and their friends. Always get to know their friends and their friends' parents, and work together

Funding for the Pay the Price Project is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency with the San Diego State University Foundation serving as the fiscal agent.