OLYMPIA - Nearly 100 communities across Washington will come
together at town hall meetings in March and April to discuss
underage drinking. All community members who want to prevent
underage drinking are encouraged to attend. Similar meetings
will take place across America, as the meetings are part of a
national initiative.
The meetings are hosted by local organizations and coalitions,
and will feature lively discussions on underage drinking. Topics
will include Washington statistics, the negative consequences of
underage drinking, how such use affects communities, what people
can do to prevent it, and more. A list of hosts, dates,
times and locations can be found
here.
Current information can be found at
www.StartTalkingNow.org.
The Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (RUaD
Coalition), in partnership with the Federal Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, is sponsoring this second
round of meetings. More than 50 communities in Washington hosted
town hall meetings in the first round in 2006, attracting nearly
4,000 people.
The RUaD Coalition is made up of 24 state, local, and non-profit
partners dedicated to reducing underage drinking. The Washington
State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) is a coalition member, and
Board member Roger Hoen is a RUaD Coalition Co-chair.
"The destructive consequences of underage drinking continue
to be major concerns in
Washington," Hoen said. "Not only does it harm our teens, but it
damages our communities. These meetings will bring this problem
to light and help communities find solutions tailored to their
own needs. Every Washington resident must hear the message that
underage drinking is not welcome in their town."
Along with helping communities find solutions, the meetings will
also be a chance for residents to give the RUaD Coalition
direction on ways the state can help fight underage drinking.
"Underage drinking is not unique to any one community - it's
happening in big cities and small towns," said Tony Masias, the
WSLCB Alcohol Awareness Program Manager and a RUaD
representative. "The goal of these community forums is to create
awareness of the problem. By identifying the issues in each
community and becoming involved, communities can become a factor
of change."
More information about underage drinking, the RUaD Coalition,
the town hall meetings, statistics, and research can be found on
the RUaD Coalition's Web site at
www.StartTalkingNow.org.
Contact: Tony Masias, Alcohol
Awareness Program Manager 360-664-1771
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