Keg tracking law proposed to curb underage and binge drinking
As the academic year winds down and end-of-year celebrations commence, state legislators are debating whether to extend New York state’s keg-tracking law, in an effort to curb underage and binge drinking.
The proposed bill would raise the currently $50 deposit when customers first purchase a keg to $75, said Jennifer Farrell, spokeswoman for the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
The law also requires buyers to return used kegs to the store they bought them from, with the deposit tag intact, if they want their money back. If the tag is missing or damaged the buyer will face an additional $250-$450 fine, Farrell said.
The original law, installed in 2003, will expire in November. Legislators are currently attempting to make the law a fixture in New York state.
As part of the current law, paperwork is attached to each keg to show who bought it, which helps officers determine the purchaser in underage drinking situations, Farrell said.
‘We’re trying to make sure that underage and adult drinkers do not binge drink,’ Farrell said.
OASAS issued a news release in August 2008 that rejected the idea of lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, popular among schools involved in the Amethyst Initiative – including SU. OASAS sent letters to college presidents stressing the importance of the minimum drinking age being set at 21 and the dangers of underage drinking.
The keg-tracking law, though meant to keep kids safe, has been an annoyance to some local business owners. Jim Oday, an owner of Sabastino’s Beer and Kegs, said he does not approve of the law extension.
‘I personally don’t think (the bill) is a good idea, because it restricts my business,’ Oday said. ‘If people are old enough to drink, they should be able to buy a keg if they want. This deposit makes them not want to buy. It definitely cuts down on the keg business. There’s been a huge cut.’
Warren Sell, a junior television, radio and film major, said he agrees with Oday that the keg law is a nuisance for the buyer.
‘Students of age will buy kegs, even though it’s a pain,’ Sell said. ‘They buy kegs for parties where there will be underage drinking. Underage kids will find alcohol, no matter what.’
Sean O’Malley, a freshman civil engineering major, pointed out that underage drinking is inevitable in a college setting.
‘You can find underage drinking in 15 minutes anywhere on campus. I don’t think (keg tracking) would work. If there’s a will, there’s a way. It may help a little bit, but I don’t think it’ll make a major difference.’
Published on April 21, 2009 at 12:00 pm
