The Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (RUaD Coalition), in partnership with the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is sponsoring a second round of Town Hall Meetings. The meetings will occur during the week of March 31, 2008 and will again focus on underage drinking.  This is a national initiative, so your community will be joined by thousands of Americans across the country meeting in their hometowns to discuss local responses to this problem.  The use of alcohol by children, adolescents, and under-age young adults remains the number one drug problem in the United States and in Washington State.

A little history. In the spring of 2006, more than 50 communities in Washington State held Town Hall Meetings on this issue, attracting nearly 4000 people.  The RUaD Coalition received strong direction from participants that state help was needed.  Support was requested in three areas: assistance in reducing youth exposure to alcohol industry marketing practices, strategies to support local law enforcement in their efforts to enforce existing underage drinking laws, and a communication campaign to encourage parents to talk with their children and teenagers about alcohol.  A report outlining our State RUaD Coalition progress-to-date will be available for distribution at the 2008 Town Hall Meetings.

Roger Hoen, Co-Chair
Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking

Michael Langer, Co-Chair                                                                  
Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking