New Tools to Curb Underage Drinking
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Lt. Governor Aiona today announced the state has formed a new public-private partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and will use a $10.45 million federal grant to prevent and reduce underage drinking in Hawai`i.
Lt. Governor Aiona holds a news conference to discuss underage drinking in Hawai`i.
“Hawai`i is on the frontline of a national call to action to prevent and reduce underage drinking,” Lt. Governor Aiona said. “Any successful strategy to combat underage drinking requires adults, especially parents, to be involved. Parents are often the first and last line of defense.”
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance among youth in Hawai`i.
To help raise awareness, MADD-Hawai`i has launched a statewide radio campaign, alerting parents to the "use and lose" law that allows the state to suspend or delay a driver's license for anyone under age 21 who buys, possesses, transports or consumes alcohol.
"We are proud to partner with Lt. Governor Aiona on the launch of this important radio campaign, reminding the community about the use and lose law," said Leah Marx, executive director of MADD-Hawai`i. "Underage drinking is a serious problem, and with greater awareness and the implementation of this important law, we hope those under age 21 will be deterred from consuming, possessing or purchasing alcohol."
The Lt. Governor also announced that a $10.45 million grant obtained in 2006 from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be utilized for the effort through 2011. The State will provide the focus and direction of the project through a statewide underage drinking plan that will be released in the coming weeks.
“What is exciting about this project is that it will bring the state, counties and communities together on the same page to address underage drinking as the serious public health concern that it is,” Lt. Governor Aiona said. “Local communities, working through leadership at the county level, will determine how best to address the issue within their neighborhoods.”
Underage drinking will be the focus of several events throughout the month of April, which Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor proclaimed as Alcohol Awareness Month in Hawai`i.
The Hawai`i Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking is coordinating 12 town hall meetings throughout the state to address underage drinking. The town hall meetings are designed to heighten awareness of the public health dangers of underage drinking and to discuss steps that parents, community leaders and concerned citizens can take to combat and prevent it. The Lt. Governor participated in a town hall meeting for the Kalihi community on Wednesday night at Farrington High School, and he will be on Lana`i on Friday night for their town hall meeting.
Underage drinking can cause serious, lifelong consequences, including violence, accidents and unintentional injuries, unplanned sexual activity, poor school performance and family relations, suicide and criminal activity.
"Underage drinking is a major public health concern that affects all of us," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "Ending underage drinking is everyone's responsibility."
Alcohol is the most widely abused substance among youth in Hawai`i.
To help raise awareness, MADD-Hawai`i has launched a statewide radio campaign, alerting parents to the "use and lose" law that allows the state to suspend or delay a driver's license for anyone under age 21 who buys, possesses, transports or consumes alcohol.
"We are proud to partner with Lt. Governor Aiona on the launch of this important radio campaign, reminding the community about the use and lose law," said Leah Marx, executive director of MADD-Hawai`i. "Underage drinking is a serious problem, and with greater awareness and the implementation of this important law, we hope those under age 21 will be deterred from consuming, possessing or purchasing alcohol."
The Lt. Governor also announced that a $10.45 million grant obtained in 2006 from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be utilized for the effort through 2011. The State will provide the focus and direction of the project through a statewide underage drinking plan that will be released in the coming weeks.
“What is exciting about this project is that it will bring the state, counties and communities together on the same page to address underage drinking as the serious public health concern that it is,” Lt. Governor Aiona said. “Local communities, working through leadership at the county level, will determine how best to address the issue within their neighborhoods.”
Underage drinking will be the focus of several events throughout the month of April, which Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor proclaimed as Alcohol Awareness Month in Hawai`i.
The Hawai`i Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking is coordinating 12 town hall meetings throughout the state to address underage drinking. The town hall meetings are designed to heighten awareness of the public health dangers of underage drinking and to discuss steps that parents, community leaders and concerned citizens can take to combat and prevent it. The Lt. Governor participated in a town hall meeting for the Kalihi community on Wednesday night at Farrington High School, and he will be on Lana`i on Friday night for their town hall meeting.
Underage drinking can cause serious, lifelong consequences, including violence, accidents and unintentional injuries, unplanned sexual activity, poor school performance and family relations, suicide and criminal activity.
"Underage drinking is a major public health concern that affects all of us," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "Ending underage drinking is everyone's responsibility."
- Watch the news conference.
- View the schedule of community town hall meetings here.
- Read more about Hawai`i's "use and lose" law here.
- Read the proclamation.
- Read news stories here.
