100% Compliance Rate from Alcohol Retailers in Melrose

Reducing access to alcohol by youth through enforcing the minimum age for purchase is an effective prevention strategy that is used by the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. Illegal sales to minors can be prevented in a variety of ways. Alcohol Compliance Checks can provide information about which licensed alcohol retailers are working to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage buyers. Alcohol compliance checks:

• Tell us if an establishment is selling to minors
• Raise community awareness and build support for reducing sales to minors
• Inform merchants that they are being monitored by the community
• Aid law enforcement
• Help monitor the impact of prevention strategies
• Let minors know that local establishments are being monitored

Since March 2009, the Coalition has partnered with the Health Department, Police Department, and Liquor Licensing Commission to conduct biannual compliance checks at establishments that serve or sell alcohol. Members of the Coalition worked together with Melrose police officers and youth (aged 16-20 years old) from neighboring communities.  The teens attempted to purchase alcohol at various locations without providing any identification.

At the most recent checks completed in early April, all 14 establishments did not sell to the underage buyers (a 100% compliance rate)!  This includes three stores that sell alcohol and eleven restaurants, bars and clubs that serve alcohol.  We would like to thank the Melrose business community for their positive efforts. 

The Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is a community group dedicated to improving the quality of life for all in Melrose by fostering evidence-based substance abuse prevention strategies.  By working collaboratively and providing resources, the Coalition takes a leadership role in addressing this issue by offering HOPE…Health, Outreach, Prevention, and Education.  For more
information, please visit www.cityofmelrose.org or call 781-979-4128.