Age-Verification Technology Used to Curb Underage Drinking

America's Partners to Prevent Underage Drinking (AP), a campaign of the International Institute for Alcohol Awareness (IIAA), is launching an effort to prevent underage drinking by encouraging liquor establishments to install age-verification technology.

"Combating underage drinking at the point of sale is the most effective tactic we can use," said James Copple, co-director of IIAA and coordinator of AP. "It will save lives. It will save communities and states billions of dollars."

Retail stores, bars, restaurants and other points of sale are being asked to install electronic age-verification devices that would stop a minor from obtaining alcohol illegally by using a fake ID.

"Earlier technology could detect state licenses within that state, but not fake licenses and IDs that were from out of state. Thanks to this revolutionary electronic age-verification technology, we can give retailers nationwide the tools they need to deny illegal access to alcohol," said Copple. "It represents the beginning of the end for fake IDs, and will go a long way toward protecting our children."

AP will also lobby Congress to pass legislation that would give alcohol vendors an incentive for purchasing and using the technology. The group also wants the bill to include increased support to states for compliance checks; retail compliance training and monitoring; and ongoing research and evaluation of program effectiveness.

"Underage drinking is a national crisis. Alcohol kills more youth than all illegal drugs combined. It's one of America's leading killers of our next generation," said Copple.

The campaign was unveiled at the U.S. Justice Department's underage drinking prevention conference, "Recognizing Our Collective Responsibility: Kicking Things Up a Notch," which was held Aug. 25-28 in San Diego, Calif.

Source: www.jointogether.org