Young people who are under the drinking age have been known to imbibe from time to time, leaving adults totally vexed. Yet, statistics show the consumption of alcohol by minors often goes on within a home, sometimes with the parents’ knowledge.

“It’s a problem and it’s happening in Calvert County,” said Anna Black, the Maryland Strategic Prevention Network program monitor for the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA).

Black was the guest speaker this week at the March meeting of Calvert County Neighborhood Watch. She told the audience that a new community coalition in Calvert, the Underage Alcohol Abuse Reduction Team (UAART) is being formed in Calvert County. The public is invited to attend UAART’s first meeting March 28 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Prince Frederick Library. It is the aim of UAART to reduce the lasting effects of alcohol use among minors. Coalition leaders are hoping to involve local business owners, families, students, parents and individuals in the effort.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, each year more than 5,000 young people throughout the country die as a result of underage drinking. About 40 percent of those deaths are from motor vehicle accidents.

According to the Maryland State Highway Administration, between 2006 and 2010, there were 114 reported motor vehicle accidents in Calvert County that involved youth between the ages of 16 and 20 who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“It’s that time of year when kids are going to drink,” said Detective Greg Cameron of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to high school prom season, Cameron indicated law enforcement in Calvert is on alert that underage drinkers might attend the April 20 opening of the Tiki Bar in Solomons.    

“Just be aware of what’s going on in your neighborhood,” said CAASA Coordinator Candice M. D’Agostino, who added every Saturday in May was likely to be a time when underage drinkers may be gathering.

Other issues discussed by citizens and law enforcement at the March meeting included the ongoing thefts of goods from sheds, especially in the northern end of Calvert, and thefts from vehicles, which continues countywide, particularly in St. Leonard, Port Republic and Dunkirk. Regarding the latter situation, Sgt. Jeffrey Jones of the Maryland State Police and Calvert Investigative Team stated, “a lot of jewelry is missing and getting