Alcohol Retailers Can Expect Compliance Checks This Summer In North Adams

Local package and liquor stores will be alerted to a resumption of compliance checks this summer.

iBerkshires.com reports Wendy Penner, director of prevention and wellness with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, told the Licensing Board on Tuesday that compliance checks haven't been done through her organization in three years because of a more concentrated focus on reaching younger children and parents.

When the compliance checks resume, it will be up to the Licensing Board to determine the consequences for failed compliance checks.

Penner said her hope is that everyone will pass and "we will feel like we aren't being remiss."

"Alcohol is the No. 1 drug problem among youth, killing more young people than all other illicit drugs combined," Penner said. The NB21 assessment found that by eighth grade, 11 percent reported they'd used alcohol within the past 30 days.

Although local checks haven't been done in some time, the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has continued to spot check, said board member Rosemari Dickinson.