Capital Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC)

'Like' us on facebook

STOP Underage

CADCA Applauds Senators Dodd, Lautenberg, Casey, and Merkley
for Introducing Bill to Prevent Underage Drinking

Originally posted 12.16.10 on cadca.org

CADCA applauds Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), for introducing the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act Reauthorization, legislation designed to prevent underage drinking. The reauthorization builds upon the success of the original STOP ACT, which was passed by Congress in 2006. The bill will continue federal government efforts to combat underage drinking and increase prevention activities in states and local communities, including college campuses. It would also continue public service media campaigns to increase adult awareness of the threat alcohol poses to their children, as well as increase research and data collection done at the federal level on adolescent alcohol use and brain development.

The bill comes just as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the University of Michigan released the results of the 2010 Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey, the largest national survey on youth drug and alcohol use. The MTF Survey showed that alcohol use has continued to decline among high school seniors with past year use falling from 43.5 percent to 41.2 percent and alcohol binge drinking declining from 25.2 percent to 23.2 percent.

“We are thrilled that Senators Dodd, Lautenberg, Casey and Merkley introduced the STOP Act reauthorization bill, which would authorize additional funding for communities to enhance their underage drinking prevention efforts. The only bright spot in the 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey released yesterday was the decline in youth alcohol use, including binge drinking, which is proof that the STOP Act is helping to make a difference. I urge Congress to pass this bill so we can continue to curb underage drinking in communities across the country,” said Gen. Arthur T. Dean, CADCA Chairman and CEO.

“Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking and underage drinking contributes to the four leading causes of deaths among 15 to 20 year-olds,” said Senator Dodd. “The Stop Act has made great strides to combat underage drinking nationwide but we must continue to build upon these successes to ensure more communities are better equipped to prevent underage drinking.”

“The STOP Act is helping put the brakes on underage drinking. It is a program that has helped reduce the number of high school students who drink, and it is a program that deserves our continued support,” said Senator Lautenberg, who authored the law that changed the legal drinking age to 21.

“The success of the original STOP Act speaks for itself,” said Senator Casey. “Our children and teens deserve our continued commitment to the programs in the STOP Act that reduce and prevent underage drinking. Even one death due to underage drinking is too many. I am dedicated to working with my colleagues to pass the reauthorization of the STOP Act.”

“Too many families are torn apart as a result of youth drinking. By partnering with proven community organizations, the federal government can help reduce senseless deaths. The STOP Act has already helped Oregon programs that reduce youth alcohol use. This legislation will make sure the program continues,” said Senator Merkley.

A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year in September by Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Frank Wolf (R-VA).