Many people dismiss underage drinking as a normal “rite of passage” in adolescence. It is important to remember that although alcohol is legal for adults, it is illegal, unsafe, and unhealthy for youth younger than 21.  Alcohol is the #1 drug choice among youth in America, killing 6.5 more youth than all other illicit drugs combined.  However, not all young people are drinking.  Underage drinking does not have to be a rite of passage.

The average 6th grader believes that half of his or her peers drink alcohol – well above the actual figure of 20-percent.  Students who overestimate the proportion of drinking contribute to the normative belief among young people, that “everyone is drinking.  To add to the problem, young people continually receive messages from popular culture and from media through alcohol involvement in music rap videos, billboard advertisements, and even evening news stories covering reports of alcohol miss-use.  We (youth) want to change this public misperception that overestimates the proportion of teen drinkers, and show the community the correct, low estimates of drinking levels.  Teens with the correct estimates of drinking levels will be less likely to drink, and will delay the onset of initially alcohol use. 

The figure below (make a poster) shows age at first use of alcohol is a powerful predictor of lifetime alcohol abuse and dependence.  40-percent of individuals who begin drinking before 13 are classified with alcohol dependence at some time in their lives, in contrast with lower rates as the ages increase. 

Age of Onset Use-à

To help tackle this problem in our community, our Youth in Action team is focusing on reducing youth access to alcohol.  One of the ways youth gain access is through parties, leading to alcohol poisoning, traffic crashes, property damage, community disturbances, and sexual assault.

Point 1: Please enforce Minor in Pocession Laws and break up these parties.
Point 2: Please watch all exits at breaking up these parties to prevent youth from scattering, and driving after drinking.
Point 3: Please enforce all underage drinking laws.
Point 4: Please don’t allow people to drive drunk- arrest DUI’s and Zero Tolerance.
Point 5: Please continue your prevention efforts within Crime Watch and DARE, these are highly effective programs.
Point 6: Thank you for your support of our YIA Team and for allowing us to do this Roll Call.  Most youth aren’t apart of these statistics, most youth don’t drink, most people don’t drink and drive, but we thank you for everything to you to protect us from those who do.  Underage drinking prevention is a community concern, and we understand it is going to take all of us to make a difference in Frankfort, we support you in everything you do.

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SAMPLE ROLL CALL BRIEFING REMARKS

My name is _____________ (or we are……..) representing MADD Youth In Action.  Youth in Action partners young people with adult activists and law enforcement to take the lead in changing a society that contributes to underage drinking.  Our goal is to increase local enforcement of underage drinking laws and reduce access of alcohol to minors.

We are here today to thank you for your efforts in preventing underage drinking.  In <your state>, it is illegal for minors to buy, consume or possess alcohol if you are under 21.  For adults over 21, it is illegal for them to provide minors, unless they are your own children, with alcohol or allow them to use alcohol.  For minors who have consumed alcohol, it is also illegal for them to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their bodies.  These are important laws but they can be difficult laws to enforce. 

One reason we are here today is to let you know it is important to us, as youth, that you continue to do all you can to enforce these laws.  The group of us before you, are concerned about saving the lives of our peers in <your community>. 

By enforcing the underage drinking laws here in <your community> you make a tremendous difference – you change attitudes, behavior and even save lives.  Young people need to know there are penalties for drinking and drinking and driving. 

Too many people today believe that underage drinking is a "rite of passage."  A common myth I frequently hear from many of my peers and their parents is “At least it is only alcohol.”  But the fact is: Alcohol kills more young people than all other drugs combined.  Alcohol is America’s #1 youth drug problem.

It’s devastating to hear the horror stories of bad choices ending tragically.  And we know you feel the same.  We are committed to changing the way our society views underage drinking.  You can help us accomplish our goal with stricter enforcement.  We believe enforcement helps send a clear, concise “no-use before 21” message.  It will change attitudes, behavior and save lives.  Together we can make a difference. 

Again, we want to say thank you for all you do to make <your community> a safer place to live and encourage you to continue your good work.  We appreciate the difficulties you face for simply doing your job. Don't get discouraged.  Don’t let young people off the hook.  Preventing underage drinking is everyone’s responsibility.

On behalf of Youth In Action and MADD to show our appreciation, we would like to give each of you a pocket card that contains information about the underage drinking laws in <your state>.  If there is any way MADD can assist you in preventing underage drinking on a local level please contact us. 

Thank you.  Does anyone have any questions?