2008 Legislative Event Held
On Tuesday evening, April 29th, over 160 individuals came together at Crossroads Theater in downtown New Brunswick to discuss the issue of underage drinking. Parents, educators, government and law enforcement officials, healthcare professionals and others were there to listen to speakers share information about this problem and discuss possible solutions.This year’s event, titled “Underage Drinking in Our Communities - A Focus on Solutions” , was put together through the combined efforts of the Somerset Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency as well as NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc.
The event was sponsored by centraljerseymoms.com in partnership with The Home News Tribune and the Courier News newspapers and Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
“We were looking to put underage drinking on the community’s radar screen and identify solutions and strategies,” said Steve Liga, NCADD CEO & Executive Director, “and the most effective tool we have to fight substance abuse is through education at the community level. The Legislative Event provided the perfect platform to generate awareness and educate the public.”
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Middlesex County Freeholder Director David Crabiel who noted, “It is my role as father, grandfather and great-grandfather that takes priority during this evening’s discussion. I’m sure you will agree that when it comes to our children and grandchildren, there is no rest until we know they are safe. That is why this dialogue tonight and the work the NCADD of Middlesex County performs throughout the year is so very critical.”
Additional remarks were provided by State Senator Joseph F. Vitale and Brenda Pateman, Somerset County Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Coordinator.
A panel of experts provided relevant information about this important and timely topic and discussed solutions already being implemented or could be implemented by the community.
The panel featured:
- Barry Roberson, East Brunswick Director of Public Safety who spoke about the township’s first year implementation of an Underage Drinking on Private Property Ordinance;
- Detective Karen Hoelzel from the Hillsborough Police Department who spoke about her department’s seven years of experience enforcing Underage Drinking on Private Property Ordinances;
- Brenda Esler, Assistant Director at the Somerset Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency who spoke about other community approaches to prevention;
- Steven Banden - a Rutgers University Student who presented a novel approach to reducing underage drinking from a student’s perspective.
Three-time Emmy Award winner Anchor/Reporter Walt Kane from News 12 New Jersey served as Master of Ceremonies.
Please click here for additional press coverage about this exciting and informative event. For pictures from the event, please click here.
