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Campaign targets underage drinking

　　Surrounded by liquor and wine, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell teamed with area liquor retailers to dub Monday as National Underage Drinking Prevention Day. "This is an area that requires a lot of emphasis in looking out for the best for our children," Luttrell said. Liquor retailers and distributors gathered at Buster's Liquors and Wines at Poplar and Highland, all signing a proclamation that details the harm associated with underage drinking.

　　Part of the proclamation read: "Alcohol use by young people is dangerous, not only because of the risks associated with acute impairment but also because of the grave threat to their long-term development and well-being.

　　"Underage alcohol use contributed to an estimated 1,506 traffic fatalities and 36,963 nonfatal traffic injuries in 2009." National Prevention Week is May 20-26, and the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition is working to provide a way for adults to understand alcohol prevention. "This is not solely about commitment to the young people but also to the law enforcement," Luttrell said. "Adults, this is our call to action."

　　"This proclamation is here as a reminder to people that there's a reason underage drinking is illegal," said Walter Williams, director of the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition. Williams showed the signs that are to be posted to all distributors and liquor stores in the Memphis area: "Providing Alcohol to Youth is a Crime."

　　The deputy sheriffs of Shelby County were also in attendance to speak on the behalf of the department about how underage drinking affects the community. "Juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 are problem areas, even though the drinking age is 21," said Lt. Deputy Sheriff C. D. Booker. "This time of the year is always a problem as well. There are proms, graduations and a lot of celebration. We are merely asking for parents to monitor their kids."

　　Booker is commander of Metro DUI. Kenneth Richardson, the TEAP specialist for the Job Corps Center in Memphis, is key in preventing substance abuse and keeping it out of the workplace. He said there is no way to stop all substance abuse, but trying to prevent it is a great benefit. "The best thing is to stay drug- and alcohol-free," Richardson said.

　　本报讯 5月21日，谢尔比郡郡长Mark Luttrell同孟菲斯市主要烟酒零售商和供应商一起，在位于Poplar大道和Highland大道交界的Buster's Liquors and Wines酒店，共同签署了一份关于详细介绍未成年人饮酒危害以及不向未成年人卖酒的宣言，同时将当日定为该地区的全美预防未成年人饮酒日。这份宣言指出，未成年人饮酒不仅增加了他们受到外来伤害的风险，还会给他们未来的成长和人生的幸福以及周围人群带来巨大的威胁。

　　仅2009年，全美因未成年人饮酒驾车造成的交通事故死亡人数就达到了1,506人，更有36,963人受伤。Luttrell郡长强调说，“预防未成年人饮酒不仅仅是我们对青少年的一个承诺，更是每一个成年人、每一位家长的法律责任。现在，正是我们开始行动的时候了。”

　　今年的5月20号至26号是全美预防未成年人饮酒周，孟菲斯地区预防未成年人饮酒联盟（Memphis Area Prevention Coalition）也通过多种方式努力让成年人了解预防未成年人饮酒行动的必要性和意义。据该联盟主管Walter Williams，他们将向孟菲斯地区所有的烟酒店提供印有“Providing Alcohol to Youth is a Crime”（向未成年人售酒是违法的）的标志，以预防未成年人的饮酒行为。

　　谢尔比郡警察局局长Booker也到场参加了活动，他指出，14至18岁是未成年人饮酒行为多发的一个年龄阶段，而且每年的这个时间也因为毕业晚会、毕业聚会等活动而成为未成年人饮酒的高发阶段。同时他还提醒家长们要注意vanilla extract（香草精）的使用，因为这里面含有70%的酒精，而青少年们往往将其加入到软饮料中来体验饮酒的感觉。

　　虽然我们没有办法完全阻止滥用酒精的行为，但是预防行动的开展总能起到一些积极的作用。我们所希望的，就是在未成年人的世界里，没有毒品，没有酒精。孟菲斯市以及谢尔比郡是田纳西州少年喝酒犯案率的高发地区，几乎每周都有类似的案例发生。每一年，孟菲斯的不少零售商家和餐饮业因为向未成年人（21岁以内）出售酒精饮料，而遭到执法机构的严重处罚，其中包括华人餐馆。记者从王氏律师事务所处了解到，零售业和餐饮业，在向顾客提供酒精类产品之前，必须让顾客提供有出生年月的身份证（ID）。有的商家看到顾客年龄比较大，在不查ID的情形下，出售酒精类饮料，都是违法的。结果会被吊销营业执照和罚款，甚至会受到拘留的惩罚。向未成年人卖酒是一种刑事犯罪，王律师强调说。