Bipartisan bill offered by Joyce reauthorizes federal underage drinking prevention program

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) recently cosponsored a bipartisan bill to reauthorize federal legislation that supports programs and activities to prevent underage drinking.

Rep. Joyce introduced the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Reauthorization Act, H.R. 7105, also known as the STOP Act, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) and fellow original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). 

“Underage drinking, and the suffering and death it can cause, continues to be a serious problem in communities across the country,” Rep. Joyce said. “That’s why I’m joining Congresswoman Roybal-Allard in leading the bipartisan effort to reauthorize the STOP Act so that this historic public health initiative can continue to combat underage drinking and save lives.”

If enacted, H.R. 7105 would maintain and improve the four areas of policy development contained in the original STOP Act, including coordinating federal underage drinking prevention efforts; a national adult-oriented media campaign; grants to community-based prevention coalitions; and research and data collection on underage drinking, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Joyce’s office.

“In 2021, over 46 percent of high school seniors reported using alcohol and the CDC estimates that 3,500 Americans under the age of 21 die from excessive drinking every single year,” said Rep. Joyce. “Not to mention the fact that those who begin using alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence later in life.” 

A multifaceted effort is needed to more successfully address the problem of underage drinking in the United States and requires a coordinated approach to prevention, intervention, treatment, enforcement, and research, according to the text of the bill.

Such a focused national effort should include public health groups, consumer groups, the alcohol beverage industry, entertainment industries, social media platforms, states, the federal government, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association and its member colleges and universities, among others, the text says.

H.R. 7105 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.