With funding from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), The Coalition, Inc. recently partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct minor alcohol stings in an effort to decrease the consequences of alcohol purchased by minors. Under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, juveniles under the legal age to drink/purchase alcohol were used as decoys to enter businesses that are licensed to sell alcohol and then attempt to purchase alcohol.
“Ensuring that alcohol is not sold to minors is a critical responsibility for businesses, and compliance checks serve as a proactive measure to protect young people from the risky behaviors that result from underage drinking. By conducting regular checks with alcohol retailers, we not only deter illegal sales but also strengthen a commitment to safety that benefits everyone,” says Sharon Kruk, Executive Director of The Coalition, Inc. “Our partnerships with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department, TABC and TxDOT on this project protect youth and build a safer, healthier community for everyone.”
During the February and May minor sting operations, none of the stores sold to minors. We commend these retailers for not selling alcohol to minors and thank them for helping protect youth from the dangers of underage drinking:
- Brookshire Brothers #52, 885 A Hwy 69 South, Huntington;
- Tobacco Barn #52, 885 B Hwy 69 South, Huntington;
- Huntington Travel Center, 191 Hwy 69 South, Huntington;
- Dollar General Store #7405, 790 Hwy 69 South, Huntington;
- Brookshire Brothers Express #81, 198 Main Street, Zavalla;
- Coleman’s, 188 Old Hwy 147, Zavalla;
- Dollar General Store #10131, 231 Hwy 147, Zavalla;
- Family Dollar Store #32691, 199 E. Main Street, Zavalla;
- Family Dollar #26758, 593 Hwy 69 South, Huntington;
- Little Boots Food Mart, 101 North US Hwy 69, Huntington;
- Zak’s Food Mart #1, 1910 North Timberland Drive;
- Family Dollar Store #26064, 419 North Timberland Drive;
- Gas N Go #1, 401 North Timberland Drive;
- Murphy Express #8988, 204 South Timberland Drive;
- Family Dollar Store #21899, 730 South Timberland Drive;
- Big’s #3850, 3019 South John Redditt Drive;
- A2Z Food Mart #1, 904 South John Redditt Drive;
- Big’s #3819, 103 North John Redditt Drive; and
- Lucky’s, 1701 North John Redditt Drive.
Sale of alcohol to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4,000, confinement up to a year in jail, or both. Persons 21 or older can be held liable for damages caused by the intoxication of a minor under 18 if the adult knowingly provided alcoholic beverages to a minor or knowingly allowed the minor to be served or provided alcoholic beverages on the premises owned by or leased by the adult.
The Coalition, Inc. is funded in part by a grant from TxDOT to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes in Texas. Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes, and behaviors, all to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information on how to prevent underage drinking, contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308.
