PDFNJ Announces Private Property Ordinance Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2.3. 2010

Contact:

Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

973-467-2100, 22

conover@drugfreenj.org

Angela Conover, Director of Media and Community Relations

Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

973-467-2100, ext. 25

conover@drugfreenj.org

67% of New Jersey Municipalities Enact Local Private Property Ordinances to Curb Underage Drinking

MILLBURN- The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), today, announced the results of a recent survey of New Jersey municipalities showing that 67-percent, of responding municipalities, have adopted a local ordinance prohibiting possession, consumption of alcoholic beverages by under-aged person on private property.

In 2000, the New Jersey Legislature enacted P.L 2000, Chapter 33, allowing municipalities “to enact local ordinances making it unlawful for any person under the legal age who, without legal authority, knowingly possesses or knowingly consumes an alcoholic beverage on private property.”

Of the 566 municipalities surveyed, 454 responded to the survey conducted by the PDFNJ. Of the responding communities, 305 municipalities have enacted local ordinances, with 149 indicating that they have not yet passed such a local ordinance.

Communities in all 21 counties have enacted local ordinances. Counties with the most ordinances include Bergen County at 89%, Monmouth County at 87% and Sussex County at 83%. (Click here for a complete list of county participation percentages.)

“These ordinances are important because they serve as a deterrent to underage drinking. Underage Drinking and the effect is has on our children and our communities continues to be a major concern of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey,” explained Angelo M. Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, “By establishing a comprehensive list of municipalities throughout New Jersey, parents and stakeholders will be able to easily access information about their hometowns.”

A complete list, with county by county and municipal breakdowns, can be found by visiting www.drugfreenj.org/law_database/