LT. GOVERNOR AIONA ANNOUNCES FEDERAL GRANT TO REDUCE UNDERAGE DRINKING AMONG U.S. AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2006

HONOLULU – Lieutenant Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded Hawai`i a three-year, $950,000 grant to reduce underage drinking by U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at Hickam Air Force Base.  Lt. Governor Aiona made the announcement with Base Commander Colonel John Torres at Hickam.

Funding for the initiative is provided by DOJ’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The grant will implement research-based practices and promising approaches for enforcing underage drinking laws and preventing consumption of alcohol by Air Force personnel under the age of 21.

According to the Department of Defense, in 2005, underage active duty members stationed at Hickam Air Force Base were responsible for nearly 25 percent of the alcohol-related incidents on base, even though they comprised only 4.2 percent of the base population.

The initiative will be conducted in conjunction with Hickam’s Culture of Responsible Choices program, which targets illicit drug and alcohol abuse.

“This new and innovative program will strengthen collaborations between Hickam Air Force Base and the local community to reduce underage drinking of military personnel, both on and off post,” said Lt. Governor Aiona.  “I especially would like to thank Colonel Torres and other Air Force leaders for their willingness and enthusiasm to partner with the State in tackling a challenge affecting us all.”

The grant will address issues underlying underage drinking at the individual, base and community levels.

“At the individual level, the project will educate airmen about the dangers of underage drinking, not only regarding personal health and public safety, but in terms of their military careers as well,” Lt. Governor Aiona said.

“At the base level, ways will be explored to increase support and alternative activity programs at Hickam for underage airmen. At the community level, the project will focus on enforcing drinking laws at retail establishments and bars frequented by military personnel, such as those in Waikiki and communities surrounding the base.”

The Hawai`i Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Division will administer the federal grant. Also participating will be the Hawai`i Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking, whose members include the Honolulu Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Honolulu Liquor Commission, Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai`i, the University of Hawai`i, the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Hawai`i National Guard Counter Drug Unit.

View the news conference on the Lt. Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/ltgov.

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For more information, contact:
Karl P. Espaldon  
Drug Control Liaison
Phone: (808) 586-0275

Celyn Chong Kee
Public Liaison
Phone: (808) 586-0274

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043