Cuomo announces multi-agency effort to prevent underage drinking

Daily Courier Observer

By Brian Molongoski

August 24, 2016

NEW YORK – With college classes scheduled to start next week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has established a new coordinated effort among state agencies to combat underage drinking on college campuses.

The state agencies pooling their resources in the effort are the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Liquor Authority, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state police.

“Underage drinking can lead to life-altering consequences for college students, and as the fall semester gets underway, we are working to educate college students about this reckless behavior,” Gov. Cuomo said in a news release. “These coordinated efforts will build on our progress to help avoid needless tragedies and create a safer learning environment on campuses statewide.”

OASAS will launch the second phase of its Talk2Prevent campaign, which seeks to increase communication between students and parents on the dangers of underage drinking. The agency also plans to soon issue a request for proposals, which would help colleges enhance preventative tools through grant funding.

Additionally, the Liquor Authority is slated to hold free training sessions across the state to help bar, restaurant and tavern owners and their staff understand their legal obligations. SLA will partner with the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association for the classes.

The DMV will also continue its “Operation Prevent” program to crackdown on fake ID use.

Lastly, the state police Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit is doubling outreach efforts to help prevent sexual violence on campuses.

According to research included in the governor’s announcement, more than 1,800 college students die from alcohol-related injuries, 696,000 college students are each assaulted by other students who have been drinking and 97,000 college students experience alcohol-related sexual assault.