Capital Region Residents Featured in New State Underage Drinking Prevention Video

ALBANY, NY (10/21/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today premiered a new state underage drinking prevention video featuring Capital Region residents taking action in their community.

The premiere comes as colleges across the state observe College Alcohol Awareness Week, October 1923, increasing awareness of the dangers of college drinking and the importance of responsible behavior and healthy lifestyles.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "It is our duty as leaders to partner with communities across the state to provide these much-needed underage drinking prevention efforts. High school and college-age New Yorkers are the future of this great state and through these efforts, we will save precious lives and prevent tragedies that tear at the very heart of our families and communities."

"We know that 7 out of 10 college students (1.4 million) under age 21 consumed alcohol in the past month and half are binge drinkers (1 million)," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "That means 28,000 Capital District college students under age 21 drank in the past month and 20,000 Capital District college students are binge drinkers."

"Alcohol is the No. 1 drug of choice for young people, costing New York State about $3.2 billion a year," Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said. "As a parent, and as the Commissioner of one of the largest addiction services systems in the country, my job is to educate, prevent, help young people make the right decision not to drink most importantly, save lives. Working with parents, educators, community members and law enforcement, we can influence the decisions of teens and make a difference - this video is a call to action in educating New York."

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo was joined by University at Albany President George M. Philip to launch the statewide underage drinking prevention educational and training video at the University of Albany - SUNY. Also, joining the Commissioner and President Philip were a number of area leaders in the underage drinking prevention effort who appeared in the video.

The video (Windows Media - closed captioned, QuickTime), sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), is designed to highlight the underage drinking prevention efforts in New York. The video also issues a call to action to elicit involvement from prevention providers, law enforcement, judiciary, colleges and community coalitions.

University at Albany President George M. Philip said, "This video will be a significant tool in fighting underage drinking. As a University we recognize the importance of tackling the very real dangers of alcohol abuse among young people. We stand with our partners and colleagues at OASAS in their efforts to prevent high-risk drinking."

UAlbany has developed several nationally-recognized model programs that address underage drinking among college-age students. These include the U.S. Department of Education and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-funded STEPS Comprehensive Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Program, an early intervention program designed to meet the complex needs of high-risk drinkers.

Additionally, the University's Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, a drug and alcohol abuse prevention peer education program, is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as an exemplary program. A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH) grant has funded the Rapid Response to College Drinking Problems program, featuring peer-delivered early intervention strategies for students who violate University alcohol policy.

State Liquor Authority Chairman Dennis Rosen said, "As underage drinking far too often results in tragic outcomes, there is no more important priority for the State Liquor Authority than preventing the sale of alcohol to minors. Prevention starts with education, and the SLA will continue to partner with police, parents, prevention organizations, business and other groups to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors."

University at Albany, SUNY graduate student Jennifer Roman, said "As a peer educator and student leader in the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, I have come to know firsthand the importance of comprehensive prevention in addressing alcohol and other drug abuse among college students. Through the implementation of the evidence-based interventions for which I have been a part, including the statewide PSA developed by OASAS, I have seen the great value of the accomplishments we can achieve and the differences we can all make through our partnerships."

State Police Technical Sergeant Douglas Paquette said, "The issue of underage drinking prevention is of such magnitude and urgency that no one agency can do it solo. Only through the combined efforts of education, enforcement and treatment can we continue to reduce the incidences of underage drinking and the tragedies associated with it. The New York State Police look forward to continuing their successful partnerships with all involved in preventing underage drinking."

Saratoga Prevention Council Executive Director Judy Ekman said, "Underage drinking decreases when everyone works together law enforcement, alcohol retailers, parents, professionals and youth. Youth are four times more likely to drink if they believe that they are not going to be caught by parents or police. They are less likely to drink in communities where adult disapproval of underage drinking is clear."

OASAS continues to promote its nationally recognized Underage Drinking: Not a Minor Problem Media Campaign which includes helpful information to parents, as well as beer, liquor and wine retailers. To report underage alcohol sales or an underage drinking party, individuals can call 1-866-under21.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can find help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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