FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2005
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Senate and House Panels Hold Second in a Series of  Statewide Hearings on Underage Drinking 

Members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and House Liquor Control Committee held a joint meeting today at the state capital in Harrisburg to seek input on how to address the growing problem of underage drinking. 

Senator John Rafferty (R-44), chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, said the joint Senate/House hearing is the second in a series of statewide meetings on how to prevent underage drinking. 

The senators heard testimony from speakers on a number of issues, including making it harder for teenagers to gain access to alcohol, binge drinking, new technology to ensure that young people have proper identification, keg registration, and public education efforts. 

Among those who testified were  representatives from organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), the PA Taverns Association, the Independent State Store Union, Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking, Diageo, the Distilled Spirits Council, The Century Council, Intelli-Check, Inc., United Food and Commercial Workers, the Greater Hazelton Area Drug Free Task Force and the Malt Beverage Distributors. 

"Our goal is to seek input on this growing problem, find potential solutions and discover ways the Legislature can help to meet funding needs and develop legislation to combat this growing problem," Rafferty said.  "Alcohol is the most frequently abused drug by high school seniors, and its use is increasing. The American Public Health Association estimates that two-thirds of high school seniors consume alcohol, with one-third of those being binge drinkers." 

Rafferty raised concerns that binge drinking is on the rise among high school and college students.  Dr. George Dowdall, a MADD volunteer, agreed, warning that "binge drinking is potentially the number one public health concern for college students." 

Rafferty is sponsoring two pieces of legislation to combat underage drinking, including a measure to suspend driver's licenses of adults who furnish alcohol to minors and a bill to require all colleges, universities and community colleges to have a written alcohol policy, including counseling and penalties for underage drinking. 

Many representatives of the liquor industry pledged their support for efforts to stop underage drinking and make it more difficult for minors to obtain alcohol.  They are leading efforts to promote education on the dangers of alcohol.

Others testifying said that more efforts need to be made to stop this growing health threat.

"Believe me," said MADD State Chairman Joe Clifford, "when you know the victims and their families, your motivation and passion to stop underage drinking is derived from the need to put an end to the pain and suffering." 

Rafferty said the Senate Law and Justice Committee and House Liquor Control Committee has already held one hearing in Philadelphia and plans to hold more in the months ahead.  He said the panels are seeking public input on the problem and proposed solutions from educators, representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking, law enforcement officials and parents. 

CONTACT: MARK MEYER – (717) 787-1398