Youth Protection
Point Click Drink: Kids Buying Liquor Over the Internet

In the wake of the 2005 Supreme Court decision that requires states treat in-state and out-of-state wine producers equally, so state regulators now are faced with the decision either to allow alcohol to be shipped into the state from everywhere, or ban all such sales. This ruling and an active alcohol lobby have glutted the internet with alcohol sales to minors due to no real ID checks required.

According to a new survey;  One in 10 teenagers have an under-aged friend who has ordered beer, wine or liquor over the Internet — more than a third think they can easily do it — and nearly half think they won't get caught.

By Lea Thompson
Chief Consumer Correspondent
NBC News

“There hadn't been the evidence and now we have the evidence," says Juanita Duggan, with the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.

The survey was paid for by Duggan's trade group, whose members compete against online sales, but clearly there is a problem. Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia have launched undercover investigations of online sales to minors and they all found it very easy to do.

So did NBC News. Two packages were delivered to a state where mail order alcohol is illegal — one was delivered to a 15-year-old who happened to be standing in the front yard, no questions asked. Only one came marked as alcohol. The others came in brown paper wrappers. There is no indication anywhere wine is in one, grain alcohol in the other.

And some online sellers blatantly flaunt the law. One Web site says it ships "discreetly in plain packaging."

For more information and how you can get involved to prevent this from becoming a national tragedy for our children go to www.pointclickdrink.com.  They have petitions and ways to contact your government to stop this travesty.