Underage Drinking Prevention Programs
Each year, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issues hundreds of citations in Travis County for zero tolerance law violations, including misrepresentation of age and Minor in Possession of Alcoholic Beverages. The TABC works closely with the Underage Drinking Prevention Program in Travis County, TX.
If you or your child was issued a citation or arrested for an alcohol offense, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Austin, TX, to discuss your best defense. The goal in these cases is avoiding by getting the charge completely dropped.
Call (512) 476-4626 to speak with attorney Kevin Bennett about your case.
Funding for the UDPP Task Force in Travis County, TX
The Underage Drinking Prevention Program in Travis County, TX, is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through a grant administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The program has been recognized by the National Association of Governors’ Highway Safety Representatives and the National Safety Council and the National Commission Against Drunk Driving.
Purpose of the UDPP Task Force
The UDPP task force was formed to educate the public about the dangers of underaged drinking including poor academic performance, alcohol poisoning, unplanned/unwanted sexual encounters, teen pregnancy, HIV exposure, and binge drinking.
The task force to prevent underage drinking in Austin and Travis County, TX, has created presentations for tweens (middle school age children) and teens (high school age children).
The UDPP task force is particularly concerned with the dangers of underaged drinking and driving. Young people who drink and drive continue to be over-represented in crashes in the state of Texas. It is estimated that alcohol was a factor in 46% of all Austin traffic fatalities in 2008.
Statistics on Alcohol Consumption by Minors in Austin, TX
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance among Texas students. One recent study shows that 71% of minors reported using alcohol at some point in their lives. According to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Statewide 2000 School Survey, 25% of seniors in high school said they had driven a car after having a good bit to drink at least once during the past year.
The 2005-2007 Austin Independent School District’s Substance Use Safety Survey reports eighth graders cite more frequent alcohol use than their peers in Texas.
Additional Resources
Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force in Travis County – The goal of the UDPP task force is to educate young people on the problems with consuming alcoholic beverages as a minor. The task force to prevent drinking alcohol by minors in Travis County, TX, is comprised of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), TxDOT, local college, universities and school districts. The last meeting of the Drinking Prevention Task Force is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 3001 Lake Austin Blvd., 4th Floor in Austin, TX.
This article was last updated on Friday, September 15, 2017.
