FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dean R. Argo
(334) 213-6330
ABC Board to Host Youth Summit
Government agencies, educators, prosecutors,
law enforcement, children’s advocacy groups, juvenile court officials, medical
professionals and many others who fight to protect and help keep alcohol and
other drugs out of the hands of Alabama’s youth will soon meet in Montgomery to
discuss trends, strategies and long-term solutions to the problems of underage
drinking and substance abuse. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will
host the first-of-its-kind youth conference, called the “Alabama Substance
Abuse Youth Summit” or “SAYS”, at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center,
on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
“Our children are under attack by
makers, growers, and dealers of illegal drugs, including alcohol, and it must
stop,” said Alabama ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson. “Thanks to the National
Alcoholic Beverage Control Association, many faithful partners, and our staff,
this youth summit will bring together every group, organization, and agency in
our state that works tirelessly to protect children. I’m confident that through
these discussions and by working together, we can better address and ultimately
end youth substance abuse.”
In addition to these discussions,
attendees will hear from several subject matter experts, including Dr. Bob
Brewer, head of the Centers for Disease Control’s alcohol program; Jim
VanHecke, director of TalkitOutNC.org, North Carolina’s anti-underage drinking
program; Dr. Shannon Murphy, a Birmingham pediatrician and recognized
expert in child development; and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey.
The Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit (SAYS) is being made
possible by a grant from the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association
and through the support of representatives of the Alabama ABC Board, Alabama
Department of Education, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education,
Alabama Department of Transportation, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama
Community Action Program’s American Character Builders, Baldwin County Drug
Education Council, Covington County Children’s Policy Council, Mothers Against
Drunk Driving Alabama, and PRIDE of Tuscaloosa.
To register for the summit, visit http://alabcboard.gov/underage-underarrest,
click on the Alabama SAYS logo, fill out the registration form, and hit
“Submit.”. Attendance is limited to the
first 350 registrants.
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