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RAlcohol remains the leading drug problem among our nation's youth.

RUnderage drinking is associated with the leading causes of death among young people, including car crashes, murder, and suicide.

RTen million American Teenagers drink monthly, 8 million drink weekly, and over 500,000 teenagers go on weekly binges of five or more drinks in a row.

ROn average, high school students consume 31 million gallons of wine coolers and 102 million gallons of beer each year.

RAlcohol use in youth is associated with poor performance in school truancy, rape, drownings, fights, assaults, and vandalism.

RMore than half of all students in grades five through twelve say that alcohol advertising encourages them to drink.

(Source: American Council on Alcohol Problems)

 



VSAAC Under-Age Drinking Prevention/Education Programming
Alcohol remains the leading drug problem among our nation's youth and is the drug of choice for young people, with earlier and earlier initiation of consumption, not uncommonly found in children as young as 11 or 12 years of age.  In the Valley, recent alcohol and substance abuse surveys report little or no reductions in alcohol use among 11th and 12th graders and an alarming equity among male and female student drinking rates, where nationally, female students have reported lower drinking rates than males. 

Because of these frightening facts, The Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) continues to prioritize the fight against underage drinking in the Valley and has been instrumental in forming a Valley Underage Drinking Task Force to examine the problem and develop strategies to prevent it.  In addition, VSAAC has developed a number of youth and adult oriented prevention and education programs that are available to the public. 
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Youth Programs:

It's Only Alcohol:
 A presentation that helps youth to understand the dangers of underage drinking.  Discussion will include alcohol's effects on the body, what blood alcohol content means, and how alcoholism develops.  Of special importance is an interactive exercise using "Fatal Vision Goggles" which simulate what it's like to be under the influence of alcohol.
Ages: 12 and up
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Annual Prom Campaign
VSAAC's annual prom campaign is an awareness raising and prevention initiative that brings together students, parents, teachers, and community members to help keep kids safe during this time. Campaign measures include:

  • With the assistance of the Local Prevention Councils and Boards of Education, VSAAC sends informative letters home to all parents of students in the 12th grade, informing them of the legal liabilities of hosting parties where alcohol is served to underage persons.

  • Area Florists participate in the campaign by placing stickers that read "Live Long Enough to Smell the Flowers" on all orders of prom flowers and boutonnieres.

  • Hotel/motel chains, as well as limousine services throughout New Haven & Fairfield counties are contacted and encouraged to "step-up" their own efforts to prevent underage drinking at their establishments/in their vehicles.

  • As an added media tool, public service announcements that focus on underage alcohol and/or designer drug use are run on local cable television stations during this time.

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Adult/Community Programs:


 (Training for Intervention Procedures)
An alcohol intervention program that teaches liquor permittees and servers how to recognize signs of intoxication, prevent alcohol sales to minors, and intervene with patrons who are already intoxicated.  VSAAC's TIPS certified trainers work with local liquor permittees to ensure compliance with the law, encourage knowledge of the penalties and fines associated with underage drinking, and to train staff in ways to prevent disaster.  At the same time, VSAAC works with local law enforcement to help enforce regulations regarding underage sales, ensure that vendors are complying with the law, and much more.
(For more information about this nationally recognized program, click here.)
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STOP Program
(Stop Teenage Alcohol Purchases)
The STOP program is a community-wide effort to educated liquor permittees about the law, restrict teenage access to alcohol, and promote good business practices.  The STOP program works with permittees to make sure they have the training necessary to identify false IDs, learn "tricks of the trade" regarding the identification of underage customers, and prevent sales to minors.  STOP also teaches permittees about the legal and criminal liabilities of underage sales.
(For more information about this nationally endorsed and emulated program, click here.)
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For more information about these and other VSAAC underage drinking prevention programs, contact the Valley Substance Abuse Action Council at (203) 736-8566 today!