The purpose of the event – called “Communities Talk: Town Hall Meetings to Prevent Underage Drinking" – is to raise awareness about the impact of underage drinking as well as improve communication between parents/caregivers and youth.
The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the 4H Building of the Greene County Fairgrounds.
Underage drinking is a major public health concern in Greene County and throughout the United States. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 7.4 million 12- to 20-year-olds (almost 20 percent of this age group) reported using alcohol during the past month.
Underage drinkers are at risk for negative consequences, including lowered academic performance, involvement with law enforcement, risk of violence and sexual assault, and death.
According to national data, parents’ voices do count when it comes to underage drinking. This approach, along with other environmental strategies, has proven to reduce the incidence of underage drinking.
The Town Hall Meeting is open to the public. To register or for more information regarding the event, call the Greene County Drug and Alcohol Program at 724-852-5276.
The “Communities Talk: Town Hall Meeting to Prevent Underage Drinking” initiative was created with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with the federal government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking.
To learn more about this national initiative, go to https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/townhallmeetings. And join the online conversation, #CommunitiesTalk.