A roll call briefing is a brief presentation given during a shift change at your local police department. In order to complete this project, the youth will select a topic such as Zero Tolerance laws or the minimum drinking age law and write a speech. This speech also will show appreciation and thank the officers for their support. A roll call briefing helps to build strong relationships with local law enforcement.

Elena Perez's speech - March 28, 2008
Good evening, My name is Elena Perez , representing Youth In Action, a program developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Youth in Action partners young people with adult activists and law enforcement to take the lead in changing a society that contributes to underage drinking. Our goal is to continuously work with you to increase local enforcement of underage drinking laws and reduce access of alcohol to minors.

I am here tonight to discuss Zero Tolerance laws for underage drinking and thank you for partnering with MADD's Mission to stop drunk driving, support victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. The attitudes and actions of a community play a critical role in the behavior and development of teens. Lax attitudes and actions regarding underage drinking fosters an environment of acceptance and dangerous teen drinking behaviors.

When Law Enforcement take action to discourage teen drinking, they help create a healthier environment for its citizens. By reducing youth access to alcohol, Law Enforcement and MADD's Youth in action Program Activities, send a strong message that underage drinking is not tolerated.

Unfortunately we know that changing how people think isn't easy, it's imperative that MADD and Law Enforcement are involved in changing attitudes, perceptions and behaviors regarding underage drinking by enforcing zero tolerance laws. Drinking is legal for adults. That's why some people think drinking is a rite of passage for youth. Many young people think drinking is a way for them to feel more grown-up. People of all ages forget that underage drinking is illegal and dangerous. It would be fantastic if communities came together to encourage a new attitude about underage drinking.

Opposing underage drinking would help change how people think and act. But it takes time and time is something we cannot afford mainly because each year 6000 people have died due to underage drinking related causes. MADD Youth in Action applaud each and everyone of you here today for enforcing underage drinking laws.

It's important to keep sending the message that underage drinking is not tolerated and that providing alcohol to minors is a 4th degree felony. Together, we can change social norms and create a healthier environment for New Mexico's Youth. On behalf of Youth In Action and MADD, we want to show our appreciation by giving each of you a pocket card that contains information about the underage drinking laws in New Mexico If there is any way MADD can assist you in preventing underage drinking on a local level please contact us.
We'll be happy to help!


Travis Collins speech - March 28, 2008
Good evening, my name is Travis Collins and I have been very active with the MADD Youth in Action Program. My favorite project within this program is the opportunity to participate in Compliance Checks and shoulder taps. Not only it is an adrenaline rush, but it taught me how committed you are into saving young people's lives.

As we are all aware, Alcohol use among children and adolescents starts early and increases rapidly with age. Across the United States and here in New Mexico, Alcohol is the number ONE drug of choice among youth. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase or possess alcohol, yet every day young people under 16 try their first alcoholic beverage.

The average age of first use nationwide is at age 12 and, 94% of high school seniors report that it is fairly easy or very easy to get alcohol. In a large part, they are getting alcohol from misguided adults who know that it is illegal to provide alcohol to young people and most of the time, they just ignore the law.

Too often, an older sibling or friend will decide that it is appropriate to help someone under 21 thinking that drinking is a rite of passage into adulthood, but the brutal truth of underage drinking is that Alcohol kills 6.5 times more than any other illicit drug combined.

In 2003, Two thousand two hundred and forty three teens were killed in alcohol related crashes nation wide and twenty four of those deaths happened in New Mexico. I joined MADD Youth in Action program to remind New Mexicans that providing alcohol for minors is a fourth degree felony, 18 months in jail and a $5,000.00 fine. The overwhelming amount of scientific research that proves alcohol is damaging to young bodies and brains demonstrate the need for strong enforcement on Zero Tolerance Laws.
Underage drinking is dangerous, it's wrong, and it is illegal. The risks are unacceptable and a tragic waste of young lives and of great potential.

Your commitment and initiatives remind us that we all have a role to play into protecting the lives, health and safety of our future generation, and I am honored to work with you as a Youth in Action team member to achieve this mission. Together we can stop underage drinking and DWI. Thank you for all you do to protect and serve our community.