HARRISBURG (PRNewswire-USNewswire) – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today released the first biennial report to the General Assembly on underage and high-risk drinking in the commonwealth.
The report, which includes state-wide agency prevention initiatives addressing the problem, concludes that while commonwealth prevention efforts are effective for middle school youth, Pennsylvania needs to build on those prevention successes to curb increased consumption by young adults in grade 12 and college.
“This report is significant both in scope and substance,” said PLCB Chairman Patrick “PJ” Stapleton. “For the first time, the PLCB and other commonwealth agencies have joined efforts to provide a comprehensive overview of the underage and high-risk drinking problem in our state.”
Mandated by Act 85 of 2006, the report presents current information on levels and trends of underage consumption, existing state prevention programs and science-based proven prevention strategies, which can have an impact future programming.
Contributing to the PLCB’s production of this report were the Pennsylvania State Police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs; PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Education
“The PLCB is proud to lead the fight against underage and high-risk drinking in our commonwealth,” said Thomas F. Goldsmith, a PLCB board member, “Our hope is that this report will heighten the public awareness of this issue and provide invaluable insight on which the General Assembly can rely to address high-risk and underage drinking prevention through legislation.”
Annually, the PLCB awards grants and hosts strategy conferences to empower parents, educators, law enforcement and community groups with the tools to best address the underage drinking problems in their communities.
Since 2003, with Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s support, the PLCB has dedicated more than $13 million in total resources to prevent Pennsylvania’s youth from underage drinking.
For more information or to read the report, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us. For more information on Pennsylvania’s alcohol education programs, visit www.dontletminorsdrink.com.
