“No ID, no sale, no way” is the message that East Windsor Township officials aim to get across in the township’s “We Check for 21” initiative to discourage under-aged drinking.
The holders of liquor licenses agreed, and signed the “We Check for 21” pledge at the East Windsor Township Council’s June 25 meeting. Signing the pledge is a township requirement for receiving a liquor license renewal.
It means liquor license holders and their employees pledge to check buyers’ credentials to ensure that they are at least 21 years old, and that the document being presented is authentic and belongs to them.
East Windsor Township supports and is proud to promote the “We Check for 21” program, along with its licensed business partners, Mayor Janice S. Mironov said. It is designed to heighten the awareness and prevention of under-aged drinking, she said.
“People talk a lot about drugs today, which is certainly another significant issue, but under-aged drinking remains a really serious issue,” Mayor Mironov said.
Young people get behind the steering wheel of a car and become a weapon to themselves and to other drivers on the roads, she said. Many young drivers involved in car crashes have blood alcohol content levels in excess of the legal limit, which is .08 percent.
“We all need to be vigilant, (but) license holders have a really on-the-ground, front seat responsibility to make sure they are not serving under-aged individuals,” Mayor Mironov said.
The statistics regarding under-aged drinking are “amazing,” Mayor Mironov said.
Eight out of 10 children have had a drink by the time they reach 12th grade. Of those children, 60 percent have consumed enough liquor to the point of becoming intoxicated, she said.
About 25 percent of high school students will have engaged in binge drinking – five or more drinks in a short time, Mayor Mironov said.
“The ‘We Check for 21’ program is an excellent vehicle to bring together municipal government leaders, young people, parents, key community and school leaders, policy makers and local businesses toward a common, positive community effort,” she said.
“We appreciate and call on all businesses and citizens to become more aware and involved in efforts to reduce under-aged drinking and to enhance safety in our community,” Mayor Mironov said.
