Party Patrol: Community Groups to Be Trained to Fight Underage Drinking in the Capital Region

ALBANY, NY (03/25/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo and Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares today announced that Capital Region community groups will be trained on how to prevent underage drinking and techniques on dealing with underage drinking parties.

The training on March 25 and 26 for police and probation officials, prevention providers, and community members will explore their role in preventing underage drinking parties and safely dispersing underage gatherings involving alcohol. The training at the Marriott Hotel on Wolf Road in Albany will also involve high school and college students.

The day-long training is sponsored by OASAS' Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Project in partnership with the OJJDP Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, New York State Police, Albany County Stop DWI, Rensselaer County Unified Services and the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County. The training is one of a series of trainings being held throughout the state.

"One in three youth in the Capital Region use alcohol," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Until underage drinking is eliminated, it will pose a serious threat to our children's lives and community. We have made significant strides in reducing underage drinking and this training will provide the proper techniques to safely and effectively respond to a party."

"We have all heard about the horrific crashes and fatalities associated with underage drinking," said District Attorney Soares. "A lesser-known fact is that alcohol-impaired judgment plays a major role in many of the most avoidable and tragic cases presented to my office, including robberies, sexual assaults, homicides and cases of domestic violence. My policy has always been to go directly to the source of illegal activity to stop it before it begins, and I applaud Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo for her dedication to preventing underage drinking and the tragedies associated with alcohol abuse."

The problem of underage drinking in New York State is widespread, resulting in costly and tragic health, social and economic difficulties including youth violence, traffic crashes, injury, and premature death. In 2005, underage drinking cost the citizens of New York $3.2 billion.

According to the OASAS 2006 School Survey, about two-thirds (904,000 or 66 percent) of 7-12 graders in New York state reported having had a drink in their lifetime, about one in four (340,000 or 25 percent) have consumed five or more drinks at one time at least once a month, and 37 percent or more than 500,000 had a drink of alcohol at least once a month.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "Thousands of high schoolers will be attending the prom and graduating this year, entering a new phase of their lives. This year with the training, our law enforcement and community leaders will be even better trained to prevent needless tragedies from reoccurring."

OASAS continues to promote it's nationally recognized Underage Drinking: Not a Minor Problem Media Campaign http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/ud/index.cfm 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 get help by calling the toll-free, 24-hour 7 days a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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