Jamestown  (CSi)– Across the state, police departments and sheriffs’ offices will be cracking down on underage drinking during prom season, graduation and other spring activities for North Dakota high school students.

“We hope the extra patrols will convince young people to make the smart decision not to celebrate with alcohol. If we find a minor consuming or in possession of alcohol, they could end up in court and ordered to pay fines,” said Sgt. Dana Rustebakke of the Valley City Police Department. “The primary goal of added enforcement is to prevent them from drinking.” 

Drinking among youth can have many negative consequences, from damage to brains that are still developing—to poor choices like driving after drinking resulting in injury or death.

Alcohol use among teenagers is not unavoidable. With the positive influence of parents, schools, law enforcement and the community, young people can learn that the celebrations in their lives don’t need to include alcohol.

Funding for enhanced enforcement of underage drinking laws is provided by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Learn more about the efforts to prevent teen driver crashes at ndcodefortheroad.org or join the conversation on the Code for the Road Facebook or Twitter page. Families are invited to create memorials to young drivers and passengers who have died in crashes in North Dakota at ndcodefortheroad.org/memorial.