Corrected: OASAS Commissioner Asks New Yorkers to 'Be Alert Communities' This New Year's

ALBANY, NY (12/30/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today asked New Yorkers to join the agency's Be Alert Communities effort to prevent needless tragedies during the New Year's holiday which result from the dangerous mix of alcohol and driving.

Alcohol-related driving fatalities rise significantly around the holidays due to the increased number of celebrations and increased alcohol consumption.

"We are all too familiar with the term BAC as it pertains to the blood alcohol content of impaired drivers," Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said. "This holiday, New Yorkers need to know that BAC also carries the implication of Be Alert Communities. Sitting idly by is not the answer to these needless tragedies. We would sound an alert if we knew a person was contemplating suicide; if we knew of someone carrying an illegal firearm; if a child had created a "hit list" of fellow classmates. Why wouldn't we also sound an alert of an impaired driver? A DUI death occurs nearly every 40 minutes and an injury every 60 seconds in our state. Be Alert Communities can affect change by understanding the facts, making responsible choices both personally and on behalf of others and taking action against the unnecessary recipe of drinking and driving.

Alcohol, even in small amounts, can negatively affect a person's judgment, reasoning, coordination, and reaction time.

According to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, law enforcement reported 9,202 alcohol-related crashes in 2008. Although there were 3 percent fewer accidents than the prior year, the crashes were deadlier: 355 of them resulted in deaths in 2008, as compared to 344 the year before. In 2008:

• 212 drivers were killed; 192 of them were drinking

• 77 passengers were killed

• 82 pedestrians were killed

• 10 bicyclists were killed

In addition, 127 of those injured or killed were under the age of 10 (as compared to 111 in 2007); 199 were under the age of 14 (one more than in 2007); and 488 were 17 or younger (8 percent fewer).

This December 18 marked the implementation of Leandra's Law in New York, making it a felony for anyone caught driving under the influence who has a passenger age 15 or younger in the car. Numerous arrests under the new law have taken place throughout the state.

In addition, there is a growing list of counties across New York state that are holding adults responsible for serving alcohol or drugs to minors in their homes. These so-called Social Host Laws prohibit adults from providing alcohol to those under 21, and are already in force in 28 communities and the following 12 counties: Albany, Dutchess, Greene, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Suffolk, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and Livingston.

Impaired driving can be prevented: plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver; take public transportation or call a friend for a ride; follow prescription dosage and heed their warnings; take keys away from those who are impaired; and plan to drive or report suspected drunk drivers to police.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "If you plan to drink, do so responsibly and do not drive. If you have an alcohol or substance abuse problem, let 2010 be the year that you reach out for help and a life in recovery through our free, 24-hour HOPEline at 1-800-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369).

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. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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