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Community Corner

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.  Why does this matter? 

 

Spring and summer are prime opportunities for risk- taking behavior by teens, particularly when it comes to underage drinking.  Minors are not allowed to buy alcohol, yet they have easy access to it. Where do they get if from? Adults. 

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Spring Break is here and high school Senior Balls are on the calendar for May; these are often enticing times for youth to indulge in underage drinking.  In an effort to keep alcohol away from minors, the San Ramon Valley Alcohol Policy Coalition reminds adults that it is against the law to provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.  This includes hosting underage drinking parties and allowing minors to drink alcoholic beverages.

 In the most recent San Ramon Valley Unified School District’s California Healthy Kids Survey, 2 percent of 7th graders, 11 percent of 9th graders and 26 percent of 11th graders reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days. In addition, 15 percent of 11th graders indicated that they had binged on alcohol which is defined as drinking five or more drinks in a row to become intoxicated quickly.

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An added danger comes from combining alcohol with other substances, such as prescription drugs. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) required for fatal overdoses are lower when alcohol is combined with prescription drugs. Sadly, this is a growing trend, both nationally and locally.

The City of San Ramon, Town of Danville and the community of Alamo are all covered by Social Host Ordinances that make it unlawful to host a gathering where alcohol is provided to anyone under the age of 21.  Violation of this ordinance can result in fines of up to $1000 and up to six months in jail. 

Do your part to reduce underage drinking this month.  Don’t provide alcohol to youth, lock up your liquor and call your local police to report parties where you suspect youth may be drinking.  Call San Ramon Police dispatch at (925) 973-2779, Danville Police dispatch at (925) 820-2144 or the Crime Stoppers Anonymous Tip Line is (800) 222-TIPS. 

 Provided by the San Ramon Valley Alcohol Policy Coalition.  For more information on the topic of reducing underage drinking, contact Patty Hoyt at 925-837-0505 x417.

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