Locating providers

LONG PRAIRIE - In Todd County, targeting underage drinking has been a top priority for years.

Now so is finding the people who provide alcohol to young people.

Since its inception in February, Todd County's Zero Alcohol Provider Program has resulted in three people being charged with providing alcohol to underage consumers. Along with locating the providers, 14 underage consumers also were charged.

The citations resulting from the ZAP Program are just the tip of the iceberg of problem that has replaced meth as Todd County's biggest concern, Sheriff Peter Mikkelson said.

Since February, 27 juveniles and 25 people ages 18-20 have been cited for underage drinking; three minors have been cited for driving while intoxicated; seven minors have been cited for possession of alcohol; and six others outside the ZAP Program have been charged for providing alcohol to minors.

"We're going to still deal with underage drinkers and charge them, but the main emphasis of this program is to locate the providers," Mikkelson said. "It's difficult to locate the provider a lot times but now have a little extra help financially to dedicate more time. It's been effective, it really has."

The program was started with a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Institute of Public Health. That money is used by the county to pay overtime for sheriff's deputies and police officers from the cities of Staples, Long Prairie, Bertha and Eagle Bend who respond to party complaints.

In the past, one or two officers or deputies normally would respond to an underage drinking complaint. With the grant, as many officers as are needed are called in, Mikkelson said.

"A lot of times at these parties when we respond, basically everyone's going to run into the woods," Mikkelson said. "You might grab a few kids that are consuming but they have no clue where alcohol come from so it's not really going to get anywhere except to have a lot of scared kids out in the woods. I think this program has allowed us to have a little bit of an impact by allowing us to use more officers on these cases."

Though it has shown results, Mikkelson said he wished the program worked better. The problem, he said, is not enough people calling into the county's tip line or leaving a tip on the Web site.

"We need to know about it. We have everything in place to respond when we do," he said.

That message will be taken to Todd County schools this fall in presentations by the Citizens Against Drugs Coalition. Chandra Theis, Todd County health educator, said it is hoped that by having law enforcement, the county attorney, doctors and other authorities speak to the students they'll understand the danger of underage drinking.

Mikkelson also believes there are quite a few students who will notify law enforcement about parties with underage drinking.

"The days of big, loud parties out in the gravel pit aren't happening anymore," Mikkelson said. "Most parties are in a residence, at rural homes like at a place a young individual might be renting. That makes harder to find out about and harder to bust. We need kids to help us, too."

Though the grant is only a one-time offer, Theis said there is more than enough money left to keep the ZAP program going for a while. The hope is the county would keep the program going once the grant dollars are gone.

"Underage drinking is such a big problem and our ultimate goal is to target providers, the adults who supply alcohol and in same way hopefully lower underage drinking because we're cutting off the source," Theis said. "We want this effort to be self sustained."

Tips for the ZAP Program can be left at the Todd County Web site, www.co.todd.mn.us/Sheriff/sheriff.htm, or by calling (800) 731-1847. Calls and e-mails will remain anonymous and no contact information is needed.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.