(Madison County, NY – Oct. 2011) The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez recently announced federal grant awards totaling $100,000 to five statewide prevention providers to address underage drinking among college students.
González-Sánchez said, “The consequences of alcohol use on and around college campuses are serious and often life threatening. Creating a change in the drinking culture on college campuses requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach. This funding will foster development of a college community coalition consisting of prevention professionals, college faculty, including public safety staff, community groups and law enforcement to prevent underage drinking among college students. Working together, we can best protect our future generations and help them achieve their greatest aspirations in life.”
In an effort to create partnerships and address issues around alcohol problems, OASAS and the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) will be presenting at the opening plenary of the New York Alcohol Policy Summit on Oct. 6 at the Genesee Grand Hotel in Syracuse. The Summit is hosted by the New York Alcohol Policy Alliance in partnership with the New York State Public Health Association, and Council on Addictions of New York State.
New York State Liquor Authority Chairman Dennis Rosen said, “As the consequences of underage drinking are too often tragic, keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors is a priority for the State Liquor Authority. We will continue conducting these underage decoy operations across the state and irresponsible licensees will be held accountable when their actions threaten public health and safety.”
The underage drinking prevention grant funding is made available through the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Block Grant. Since 2006, OJJD EUDL funding has provided resources for law enforcement agencies across the state to conduct hundreds of compliance checks of retail establishments.
The funding was awarded to not-for-profit OASAS-funded prevention providers who partner with colleges and law enforcement agencies to enforce underage drinking laws and coordinate community responses to reduce and eliminate youth alcohol access. Each prevention provider will receive up to $20,000 over the next year.
The awardees are required to do at least one law enforcement activity and be required to submit a quarterly report indicating their activities and expenditures. Other allowable activities may include: sobriety checkpoints, party patrols, retail compliance checks, shoulder tap details, evaluation of college and university alcohol and drug policies, responsible beverage training programs, enhance or develop college/campus community coalitions, an educational component, and media advocacy efforts.
Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (BRiDGES)
College: Morrisville State College
Activity: the Madison County Sheriff’s Department will enhance underage drinking patrols, with a focus on the Route 20 Corridor, a roadway which connects Morrisville State College to the other institutions of higher education in Madison County, including Cazenovia College and Colgate University. Other police departments throughout Madison County are also focused on enforcing underage drinking laws and will collaborate with the Sheriff’s Department where appropriate.
According to the 2009 Alcohol Mapping Project compiled by BRiDGES, Route 20 is the roadway with the second highest DWI crashes in Madison County.
BRiDGES and the college will also partner to run several TIPS (Safe Server) trainings for students. The hospitality and tourism students will receive TIPS training as will the Residence Advisors.
In October BRiDGES will be conducting a survey of students on campus in the dining centers. The survey results will be used to partner with Morrisville State College to plan more activities and prevention services. The college will also be hosting Matt Bellace a prevention speaker from New York City in November. This presentation will be open to all Morrisville State College students and the public.
