By Aaron Graffman
Youth obtain alcohol from many sources including friends, parents, and other relatives, strangers, stealing it, and purchasing it themselves.  
One of the risk factors on the 2014 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment (OPNA) is the perceived availability of drugs in their community. Forty-three percent of Okmulgee County Seniors feel drugs are easily obtained in their community. It is important for adults to take the responsibility of preventing access to alcohol for youth.
One form of preventing youth from obtaining alcohol is to ensure local alcohol retailers are not selling to minors.  
On Thursday, August 27, 2015, the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Program, the Regional Prevention Coordinator (RPC), funded by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and the District 25 Drug Task Force performed alcohol compliance checks at Okmulgee County alcohol/3.2 beer vendors. During these checks, a youth tried to purchase alcohol from a vendor with an undercover police officer present.    
During the August 27th alcohol compliance checks, 16 stores were checked.  Three convenience stores sold 3.2 beer to the minor, all in the City of Okmulgee.  
Adults within Okmulgee County, including alcohol vendors, need to set a clear precedent that alcohol use by minors will not be accepted.  By not allowing youth to have alcohol, it is helping to prevent addiction and other substance abuse issues.  
If you are a vendor, who would like to be trained, or have staff trained, in Responsible Beverage Sales and Service (RBSS), or if you a community member who would like to help prevent substance abuse in Okmulgee County, contact DFC Coordinator, Aaron Graffman or RPC Director, Margaret Black at (918)756-1248.