A bill aimed at preventing underage drinking passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Rep. Zach Wamp said the bill, introduced in 2005, "has 85 cosponsors from across the political spectrum indicating the need to better understand and prevent the frightening spread of underage drinking in America."
He said, "We, as policy-makers, community leaders and, most importantly, as parents, still need to address the growing problem of alcohol abuse by our children. As this is an illegal use of a legal product, the government needs accurate research and information to attack this prevalent anddevastating problem."
The Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act - or "STOP" Underage Drinking Act establishes a guide to federal underage drinking policy and program development; requires annual reports from states regarding programs, efforts, and laws preventing underage drinking; develops outcome measures including reports on minimum-age compliance checks and law enforcement; funds and oversees underage drinking public service announcements; awards grants to reduce underage and binge drinking on college campuses; and supports studies on the impact of alcohol on the adolescent brain.
"We should be proud of the bipartisan effort and hard work that has gone into this bill," Rep. Wamp said. "I am glad that we have an opportunity to vote on this legislation before we adjourn for the year."