Students unfazed by state's alcohol crackdown


By Victor Garcia
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Many UA students are unfazed despite an announcement by three of the most important offices in Arizona that they plan to crack down on drinking during the holidays.

The Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, the governor's office and the Arizona Highway Patrol have joined forces to strengthen their enforcement of underage drinking laws.

Part of that enforcement includes undercover sting operations with a greater focus on bars and restaurants.

"They can crack down all they want," said Marcia Gaysue, a journalism junior. "But if people want to drink, they'll find a way."

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety said college students are not being targeted unfairly, but that they fall into an awkward category.

"Universities are just one of those odd communities," said Michael Frias, deputy director. "Some are of legal drinking age and some are not, this is an area we have to look at."

Frias also said that in spite of celebrity incidents like Diana Ross's DUI in Tucson, the state of Arizona takes drinking seriously.

"Too many people are getting hurt and killed," said Paul Allvin, director of communication for the governor.

Jon Jolls, a business sophomore, said the campaign is a waste of money.

"My feeling is that it is a waste of money, you're not going to stop it," said Jolls. "When you do it around the holiday time half the people are gone, they're with their family."

All three offices stated that this new joint enforcement would not cost more money.

"We're just supporting our existing program," said Allvin.

Jolls said the program unfairly targets local students.

"Enforcing at this time just catches the people who live in the area, it really doesn't catch all students," Jolls said. "It seems unfair."