House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

October 26, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Scribner Addresses CCSUD Conference

 

Coalition Aims to Prevent Underage Drinking

CROMWELL- On October 18th, State Representative David Scribner (R-Brookfield) addressed the 10th Annual Conference of the Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking held in Cromwell at the Crowne Plaza.  Scribner, who serves as Governor M. Jodi Rell’s appointee to head a Connecticut delegation in a national effort to combat underage drinking, spoke to the panel on what Connecticut needs to do to address the problem.

“We have achieved a lot over the course of the past several legislative sessions in Connecticut,” said Representative Scribner.  “But there is a great deal left to do in combating underage drinking.  This event was a way to help focus the goals of a number of individuals, agencies and organizations on what we need to do as our collective next step.”

The state team, which consists of Rep. Scribner along with the Governor’s office, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Education, OPM, Consumer Protection, Department of Higher Education, Public Safety and the Judicial Department’s Office of Court Support Services, are working on producing a plan with benchmarks, timelines, and a budget to prevent and reduce the underage drinking problem in Connecticut.

Scribner noted that a number of critical steps have been taken already, most significantly the enacting of House Bill 5211 last session, which the Governor signed into law.  The bill establishes penalties for adults who serve or facilitate the possession of alcohol by minors, and makes it a crime to serve alcohol to minors on private property.

“This is a critical new law we worked very hard in passing,” said Representative Scribner.  “Evidence shows that most underage drinking takes place at home during house parties, with either indulgence or ignorance of adults in charge.  Now adults who allow this to take place will face serious criminal consequences.”

Scribner noted that since the law took effect on October 1st, there has already been a significant arrest under it in North Branford where high school students and football players were allowed to consume alcohol at a private residence.