March 24, 2006
Attention Parents!
Adults who first use alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to
become dependent on alcohol than adults who first use it at age 21 or older.
A series of Town Hall Meetings organized to promote public awareness about
underage drinking will be held throughout the state the week of March 27.
Washington Liquor Enforcement Officers in more than 45 communities will
participate in these meetings along with local authorities, prevention
professionals, and members of the public.
The meetings are part of a larger, nationwide effort involving more
than 1,000 cities and towns. Visit the
Town Hall Meeting List to view
Washington state communities that are participating.
Underage drinking is a leading public health problem in Washington.
The 2005 Healthy Youth Survey, conducted in schools statewide,
found that nearly one out of five (18 percent) eighth graders used
alcohol recently, and one out of five (19 percent) tenth graders recently
drank five or more drinks in a row.
"These town hall meetings are a major step forward in addressing the
problem of underage drinking," said Merritt Long, Chairman of the
Washington State Liquor Control Board. "We want to encourage parents
to come and meet people working to prevent underage drinking across
the state.?
The Town Hall Meetings will provide an opportunity for parents and
community members to learn more about new research, including local
data on underage drinking, and how they can best prevent underage
alcohol use. Community members will also receive education materials
from a new campaign that will be launched at the meetings. The
materials encourage parents to "Start talking before they start
drinking." The campaign materials, developed by the Ad Council, include
posters, an online brochure,and advertising for newspapers, radio and
television. One of the ads features a young boy in a recovery group
meeting saying, "My name is David and in eight years I'll be an
alcoholic." The brochure may
be downloaded at http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/townhall/materials.aspx. Washington
State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking, which is made up of 22 state
and local organizations including the Washington State Liquor Control Board, is
sponsoring the town hall meetings.
For more information about alcohol awareness contact Tony
Masias, Washington State Liquor Control Board alcohol awareness
manager, (360) 664-1771
or avm@liq.wa.gov.
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