http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20100404/NEWS01/4050330/

Town hall meeting to focus on teen drinking

By Eric Bradley
ebradley@enquirer.com

BLUE ASH - Alcohol use among teens is the number one public health risk facing youth today, according to Nancy Rolfert, co-chair of an upcoming town hall meeting to educate the public on the subject.

The Northeast Community Challenge Coalition is hosting the meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. April 13 at the Blue Ash Municipal Building, 4343 Cooper Road.

Alcohol consumption by underage drinkers in Ohio is prolific, according to a study cited by the coalition. It said minors consumed 22.6 percent of the alcohol sold in Ohio in 2007, totaling $1.1 billion in sales. Underage drinking cost Ohioans $3.2 billion in 2007, the study said.

When the problem is so big, what can be done?

 On Tuesday, April 27th, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, in collaboration with Harrison, is sponsoring a community forum in Harrison to address the issue of underage drinking.  The forum will feature local legislators, law enforcement officials, parents, teachers and medical professionals discussing the issue of underage drinking as it exists in Harrison and creating a plan for the community to work together to keep kids safe.

Come join us at the Lawrenceburg Community Center on Wednesday, April 28th at 6:00 p.m. to hear our guest speaker Rob Schilling. He will be addressing the effects of alcoholism on youth and their families. This is open to all people ages 12 and up. We will have pizza and soft drinks.

Sponsored by:  Dearborn County Citizens Against Substance Abuse

Lawrenceburg Community Center
423 Walnut St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025-2411