OLCC’s Responsible Vendors Do Well in Statewide ID Checking Study

During the study, young looking 21-year-olds attempted to buy a six pack of beer without an ID card.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Alcohol sellers in the Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s Responsible Vendor Program (RVP) are doing a good job of checking the ID’s of younger-looking buyers, according to a statewide research study.

But, non-RVP grocery and convenience store clerks didn’t fare as well during the test – failing to ask a young-looking alcohol customer for ID about 40 percent of the time. Clerks at liquor and drug stores did better, however, checking the ID of the young buyers about 86 percent of the time.

Three hundred eighty-five Oregon liquor licensees were visited in 2005 by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation’s (PIRE) Prevention Research Center and the Oregon Research Institute. During the study, young looking 21-year-olds attempted to buy a six pack of beer without an ID card. State law requires an ID check when persons who look 26 or younger buy alcohol.

Researchers wanted to pinpoint the types of outlets that are likely to sell to youngsters, so they can suggest strategies for reducing alcohol sales to minors.