September 1, 2000

Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking makes noteworthy steps to curtail illegal drinking

The Loyola-based, community-wide Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking that began meeting last July has formulated several innovative ways to encourage responsible drinking. Spearheading the effort has been Leigh Anne Terrebonne, a substance abuse prevention counselor at Loyola, who enlisted the help of the New Orleans Police Department, City Attorney's Office, Uptown residents, as well as the owners of popular Uptown bar such as Madigan's, T.J. Quills, and Bruno's.

As part of the effort, participating owners have agreed to: (1) raise their entrance requirements to 19, (2) utilize a "black ball list" that prohibits certain identified patrons from entering all 15 bars that participate in the coalition, and (3) conduct periodic reviews of all bar employees (like spot checks) to see whether underage patrons are being served without the owner's knowledge. The law permits 18 - 20 years olds to enter a bar but prohibits them from purchasing or drinking alcoholic beverages.

In April, the coalition began working with the City Attorney's office to monitor alcohol beverage licensees. Although this collaboration is new, Terrebonne envisions a system in which the coalition targets problem bars and the city attorney considers revoking or probating licenses more regularly (to improve the licensure process).

The coalition was funded by a $20,000 grant from the state's Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and has received preliminary approval from the state for funding next fiscal year.