By:KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. In Long Beach, 56 percent of all 9th graders report using alcohol in the last month, according to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Services (OASAS) information.
The Long Beach Coalition to Prevent underage Drinking received a grant for $80,000 per year from the New York State Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to enforce underage drinking laws, said Judi Vining a credited Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. The coalition was one of six chosen in New York State.
A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Coalition from the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The coalition was honored for their educational effort to thwart underage drinking.
The group was formed to combat a problem,said City Manager Edwin Eaton. These kids go to an educational program where they learn about alcohol and the addictiveness.
The coalition began with a $7500 mini grant from OASAS in August 2000. I think that the most effective way to counter the problem of underage drinking is education, education, education,said the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ron Friedman.
The Long beach Medical Center Family Alcoholism Counseling and Treatment Services (FACTS) and Judi Vining formed the coalition. The coalition has sent a message to youths that drinking is unacceptable and the community won't accept it, said Patricia Hincken, Chair of the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking.
Last summer, if a young person got a ticket for alcohol consumption they could mail in the money,said Vining. Now they have to appear in court. It is mandated for youths to participate in three sessions of alcohol education/counseling. The Coalition has targeted teens ages of 16-21. Offenders 15 and under cannot be issued a summons. By appearing in person that's a big step up,Vining said.
The program is geared towards alcohol abuse but will deal with other drugs, said Hincken. In the peak of the program, there were 133 court referrals, said Vining. The program doesn't successfully complete the youth until a waiver is signed and the parents are sent information on alcohol and a letter of legal liability.
The coalition enlisted help from many members of the community which worked to combat underage drinking. Long Beach Police Lt. Jack Radin and Lt. Michael Tangney have been working with the coalition since its inception. They have educated owners of stores, bars and restaurants that sell alcohol. Lt. Radin said we've gotten good feed back from the places we train.
I think the positive end result would be not only the information going to the children but information going to the parents and families in town,said Lenny Remo, whose business has sponsored the coalition since inception.
Vining and Hincken know that there is still work to be done within the program.
We have been very fortunate to have it. Very excited that the community is so supportive. I think we accomplished a lot and there is a lot more to accomplish,said Hincken.
