Wolfson M, Wagenaar A C, Hornseth G W
Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, USA.
Public Health Rep. 1995 Jul-Aug;110(4):428-38.
Qualitative data on enforcement of the minimum drinking age in the United States were obtained through in depth interviews with law enforcement officers in May and June 1992. Interviews were conducted with 37 supervisory and line law enforcement personnel in 15 city and county law enforcement agencies in four States. The selected agencies had varying levels of enforcement as measured by arrest rates. Interviews focused on the social and political context of enforcement of the drinking age, constraints to enforcement, and officers' recommendations for improving enforcement efforts. Officers generally perceive an acceptance of youth drinking by many segments of their communities, and they do not receive significant encouragement from community members to increase enforcement efforts. Political factors are thought to play some role in determining enforcement levels, especially in sheriffs' departments. Reported constraints on enforcement of the minimum drinking age include resource limitations, a number of practical problems, perceptions that punishments are inadequate, time and effort required for processing and paperwork, and the low status accorded enforcement of the minimum drinking age. Officers report facing a number of evidentiary and procedural challenges. Officers suggested a number of ways in which enforcement of the minimum drinking age could be improved.
1992年5月和6月，通过对执法人员进行深入访谈，获取了美国最低饮酒年龄执法方面的定性数据。对四个州15个市县执法机构的37名监督和一线执法人员进行了访谈。根据逮捕率衡量，所选机构的执法水平各不相同。访谈重点关注饮酒年龄执法的社会和政治背景、执法限制以及执法人员对改进执法工作的建议。执法人员普遍认为，他们所在社区的许多群体都接受青少年饮酒，而且他们没有得到社区成员加大执法力度的有力鼓励。政治因素被认为在决定执法水平方面起到了一定作用，尤其是在治安官部门。据报告，最低饮酒年龄执法的限制包括资源限制、一些实际问题、认为处罚力度不够、处理和文书工作所需的时间和精力，以及最低饮酒年龄执法的地位较低。执法人员报告称面临一些证据和程序方面的挑战。执法人员提出了一些可以改进最低饮酒年龄执法的方法。
