MIDLAND Newly released findings demonstrate the sale of alcohol to-go has resulted in serious — and yet preventable — consequences, in particular for underage youth. Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth (TxSDY), Texas’s leading advocacy coalition on youth underage drinking and substance use prevention, released the data and hosted a local Permian Basin community forum Thursday, targeted at addressing youth alcohol use.
According to the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force, Odessa and Midland ranked #1 and #2 in the state for the highest number of alcohol-impaired crashes, injuries and deaths. Last year, Odessa had 157 crashes and 76 injuries and fatalities; Midland had 196 crashes and 107 injuries and fatalities, a news release said.
Texas Department of Transportation urges the public to take action to #EndTheStreak and save lives by not drinking and driving, a risk that is especially high among underage drinkers.
Partnering with local leaders and prevention advocates, TxSDY’s forum focused on targeted approaches specific to Midland, Odessa, and Permian Basin communities. Local organizations Midessa Community Alliance Coalition and Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse co-hosted the day’s event, which was held at the Golf Course Road Church of Christ.
“The local community plays a critical role in working to address underage drinking and as this new data shows, the risks are more serious than ever with alcohol sold to-go,” said Nicole Holt, CEO of Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth, in the release. “From parents to educators to law enforcement, it’s our responsibility as adults to do everything possible to keep our kids safe. Working together, we know we can create positive change. We urge decision makers in Midland-Odessa and across the state to join us in ensuring safeguards and compliance to protect our youth.”
Thursday’s forum provided information about local alcohol to-go sales, highlighting findings from a recent state study that showed:
- Nearly 70% of the time alcohol to-go was ordered for delivery or pick-up, no ID was requested;
- No ID was verified for more than a third (37.5%) of delivery sales and over 80% of pick-up sales; and
- Nearly 20% of the time, orders were left for pick-up or at doorsteps with no contact made at all.
In Midland-Odessa, the data demonstrated several troubling trends:
The event provided local Permian Basin families and leaders with resources and tools to support local community engagement and strategies as they seek to define and enforce best practices on alcohol to-go sales and protecting youth.
“The realities of underage drinking and intoxicated driving affect our local community in devastating ways, and yet we continue to see changes that create new challenges to protecting our kids from alcohol access and use,” said Sara Hinshaw, Midessa Community Alliance Coalition Program Director, in the release. “But we know that – working collaboratively and with targeted, localized strategies, we can make a positive difference and save lives. Our hope is that today’s event inspires us all to continue to work together for our families, our neighbors and our youth.”
The Midland event is part of a series of regional forums TxSDY regularly hosts across the state. The events seek to facilitate introductions between stakeholders in the community, increase collaboration and engagement and mobilize participants to reduce underage drinking and impaired driving in a coordinated and strategic way.
Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth is the state’s leading organization working to end underage alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Founded in 1997, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation administered by the American Medical Association, the statewide coalition builds on the strengths and successes of its longtime identity, Texans Standing Tall, while bringing new focus and energy to its mission of creating healthier and safer communities. More information can be found at txsdy.org.
