15 Minors Found in Possession of Alcohol

SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, November 10, 2016 at approximately 11:00 pm, Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) Investigators found 15 minors in possession of alcohol at McCaffrey’s Public House, a Springfield bar located on Main Street. All were local college students. The bar will be summoned for a hearing before the Commission; if found to have violated the law, the bar’s liquor license could be subject to suspension, modification or revocation.

“Bars and restaurants have an obligation serve their patrons responsibly and ensure they are selling to only those who are old enough to purchase alcohol,” said Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. “We will continue our monitoring and enforcement actions across the state, because we know this kind of action can save lives and prevent tragedies before they happen.”

At the beginning of each school year the ABCC conducts Operation Safe Campus, an enforcement campaign at bars and liquor stores in college communities across the state. In 2015 these programs produced the following results: 1,065 minors in possession or transporting alcoholic beverages; 226 adults procuring alcohol for minors; 51 individuals in possession of false identification; and 455 cases of beer and 403 bottles of alcohol were confiscated by Investigators, preventing delivery to approximately 6,154 underage individuals.

Statistics show that three teens die from drinking and driving every day, and approximately six teens die every day of non-driving alcohol-related causes, such as homicide, suicide, and drowning. Alcohol intoxication has also been reported to be involved in 47% of homicides and 23% of suicides involving people under 21. In Massachusetts alone, the overall cost of alcohol abuse by youth is estimated at $1.4 billion.

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission is an agency under the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg. Its overall objective is to provide uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state.

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