State video to combat underage drinking

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November 1, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Sun Nov 01, 2009, 10:28 PM EST

ALBANY — A new state video aims to combat underage drinking and raise awareness about the importance of responsible behavior and healthy lifestyles.

The video, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, highlights underage-drinking-prevention efforts in New York.

The video issues a call to action to elicit involvement from prevention providers, law enforcement, judiciary, colleges and community coalitions.

"It is our duty as leaders to partner with communities across the state to provide these much-needed underage-drinking-prevention efforts," Gov. David A. Paterson said in a news release after the video's premiere in Albany.

"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."

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo said statistics show that seven out of 10 college students under age 21 consumed alcohol in the past month and that half are binge drinkers.

"Alcohol is the No. 1 drug of choice for young people, costing New York about $3.2 billion a year," she said in a statement.

"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."

State officials are also continuing to promote the nationally recognized Underage Drinking: Not a Minor Problem campaign, which includes information for parents, as well as beer, liquor and wine retailers.

Underage alcohol sales or an underage drinking party can be reported at 1-866-under21.