Whats the law agaisnt underage drinking?

Question

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/youthissues/1127406398.html

After looking at this website, it clearly states that it isnt illegal for a minor to consume alcohol. (In the state of Nevada) Is this true? Can a minor legally consume alcohol? And if thats true, than how is a minor supposed to consume alcohol if its illegal to purchase it, or for an adult to give alcohol to a minor? Some clarification would be appreciated...

Answer 1

it appears that you are correct. However, the catch-22 statement is also made:

"These states may charge persons who have consumed alcohol with alcohol possession or other violations in order to, in essence, enforce a non-existing law."

Answer 2

Most states and countries don't enact laws they can't enforce. Trying to prove that a minor drank alcohol (alone, at home, in the woods . . . ) is just not something government wants to get involved in.

On the other hand, all sellers of liquor are licensed in most, if not all states, and it is pretty easy, by comparison, to make sure a licensed store obeys its license.

Another example of this would be that it is not illegal to drink liquor while driving your car in California, but it is illegal to have an opened bottle of liquor other than in an inaccessible trunk. The issue is enforcement. It would be awfully hard to prove that the driver (as opposed to a passenger, or no one at all) was drinking, but finding an open bottle in the passenger compartment is pretty straightforward.

This doesn't mean the state thinks it's O.K. for minors or drivers to drink, it just means that laws are targeted to work where they can actually do some good. Law makers hope the result will be that minors and drivers don't drink.

Answer 3

It is however in most states illegal for a minor to possess alcohol and many states take the stance that if it is in your system it is in your possession. As your site you provided points out states have different laws but they come to the same outcome. That is why in different states you will be charged differently. In some states it is a minor in possession and in others it is a minor in consumption.

Answer 4

From the same site: These states may charge persons who have consumed alcohol with alcohol possession or other violations in order to, in essence, enforce a non-existing law.