Seven years ago, New Jersey adopted a law that allows municipalities to enact ordinances about teenage drinking on private property. A handful of Middlesex County communities are utilizing the law to enforce punishments on teens caught drinking on private property.

"In East Brunswick's case, its ordinance punishes teenagers caught drinking on private property with license suspensions of six months, plus fines of $250 for a first offense and $350 thereafter."

These Middlesex communities hope the new ordinances will help curb teenage drinking. Adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become dependant on alcohol. Read more at thnt.com.

Labels: ordinances, punishment, teenage_drinking