The History of Underage Drinking Initiatives in Alamance County

 

 

1997:  Healthy Alamance Substance Abuse Task Force Formed

Substance abuse is identified as one of the top three health issues in the community, based on results from the first community-wide health assessment. The Healthy Alamance Substance Abuse Task Force formed to address alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use throughout the county. Its partners include the Alamance-Burlington School System, the Alamance County Public Health Department, the Alamance-Caswell Local Management Entity, Alcohol and Drug Services, Alamance County Judicial Services, Burlington Police Department, Alcohol Law Enforcement, community members and other health and human service and faith-based organizations.

Since its formation, it has coordinated environmental tobacco strategies including a countywide smoke free restaurant campaign, merchant education regarding tobacco sales to minors, efforts to encourage a 100% tobacco-free schools policy, doctor/patient substance abuse education, and evidence-based substance abuse education and interventions that are delivered in classrooms and in the community. It also coordinates community awareness efforts including Red Ribbon Week and the Prom Promise Campaign.

 

2006: Prevent Underage Drinking Initiatives Begin

Under the auspices of the Healthy Alamance Substance Abuse Task Force, funding from the N.C. Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative that administers the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) sponsored by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) became available to implement strategies designed to address underage drinking issues throughout the community.

 

2008: Task Force Awarded N.C. Coalition Initiatives Grant

The Healthy Alamance Substance Abuse Task Force was awarded one of eight North Carolina Coalition Initiative (NCCI) grants that would build capacity of community coalitions to develop a strategic prevention framework leading to the development of environmental strategies to reduce substance abuse.

 

As a result of this funding, The Community Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking formed to narrow the geographic focus and to serve as a prototype of underage drinking initiatives that could be replicated in other parts of the county. This community was identified based on the unique needs of the area, support from local law enforcement, the school system and local university. This community includes both urban and rural areas including the Town of Elon , west Burlington and the northwestern parts of Alamance County . 

 

The Community Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking partners with the Healthy Alamance Substance Abuse Task Force in addressing many issues related to substance abuse as well as other health and social issues that that impact the well being of all citizens in Alamance County .