First Meetings of New Dane County Alcohol Coalition This Week
December 08, 2008
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is inviting anyone with ideas on way to counter the harmful affects of alcohol abuse to attend the first series of meetings this week of a newly formed county coalition.
The first-of-its-kind coalition was created by the County Executive as part of her initiative to combat the human and economic toll that excessive drinking is having on Dane County and its communities. The coalition includes dozens of business, health, educational, law enforcement, and other community leaders.
“People across Dane County are coming together and saying enough is enough, and confronting the greatest public safety threat we face,” Falk said. “I look forward to many great ideas this coalition will discuss and work to act on in the coming year.”
Falk's efforts have been recognized by the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse which has informed communities across the state of Dane County's efforts and encouraged them to explore creation of similar working groups. Falk is receiving the “Community Leadership” award from the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse this Friday at 1:30 p.m.
The coalition will identify areas it wants to focus on and may push to change government policies and culture and address issues like binge drinking as well as other focuses. The coalition will provide reports to the community on its progress.
This week’s meetings are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Alliant Energy Center in the Waubesa/Kegonsa rooms on the second floor.
Given the forecast of a major winter storm, the coalition’s meetings for Tuesday and Wednesday evening may be subject to change. The media will be notified if the decision is made to postpone either or both of those meetings.
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