Press Release
Research Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal Health Behavior And Policy Review Demonstrates Serious Compliance Failures Among Retail Alcohol To-Go Sales
Data released as part of inaugural statewide Institute on Youth Access and Impaired Driving. Study finds identification failure rate of nearly 65% across Texas – and 90% for in-person pick-up
(AUSTIN, TX – July 28, 2025) – Advocates today revealed findings from research on the sale of alcohol to-go and compliance with laws and regulations designed to prevent underage drinking and impaired driving. The study, published in Health Behavior and Policy Review, examines alcohol to-go sales, and documents serious compliance failures in retail e-commerce alcohol to-go sales. It was released as part of the inaugural Institute on Youth Access and Impaired Driving, a statewide event focused on implementing effective strategies that reduce youth access to alcohol and other drugs.
Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth (TxSDY), Texas’s leading advocacy coalition on youth underage drinking and substance use prevention, conducted the study and data collection over the course of three years. The research found that, statewide, the identification failure rate for overall e-commerce alcohol-to-go sales was approximately 64.8%, ranging from 26.7% for delivery drivers to 90.0% for customers who walked into a restaurant or grocery store to pick up their e-commerce orders. The failure rate remained consistent regardless of whether the person ordering the alcoholic beverage was 30 years old or younger. Average failure rates varied based on method of delivery or pick-up:
Based on these findings, advocates are calling for redesign of compliance measures to ensure that only those legally eligible to purchase an alcoholic beverage receive those orders, especially when placed via an e-commerce platform.
“From the beginning, we’ve voiced serious concerns that this law had the potential to increase youth access and the many — often life-changing — risks associated with underage drinking,” said Nicole Holt, CEO of TxSDY. “Alcohol-to-go created new access points, and the widespread ID check failures we’re seeing today validate those concerns. We must face the serious risks this presents to our youth. We urge decision makers to put the health and safety of our kids first by taking action to ensure the law is followed — and help us save lives. We’re particularly concerned about underage individuals placing alcohol-to-go orders, picking them up in their car, and then driving away – posing risks not just to themselves but others as well. Already, nearly 1/3 of Texas impaired driving crashes involve drivers under 25 years old. And when alcohol is involved in a crash, a young Texas driver is 15 times more likely to die.”
The publication’s abstract and access to the full report can be found here. For more information on underage alcohol use among Texas youth and its associated health and developmental consequences, visit https://txsdy.org/alcohol/.
The day-long Institute convened dozens of participants from across the state, including community leaders, prevention experts, law enforcement, and youth. Through interactive presentations and activities, participants explored effective approaches to prevention, deterrence, and outreach. Attendees engaged in collaborative sessions focused on evidenced-based prevention strategies to increase strengthen enforcement efforts, and develop community-based solutions to prevent youth substance use and impaired driving.
About Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth
Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth is the state’s leading organization working to end underage alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Founded in 1997, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation administered by the American Medical Association, the statewide coalition works to advance its mission of creating healthier and safer communities. More information can be found at http://txsdy.org.
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