Dane County Coalition to Reduce Alchol Abuse Community Forums Start Tonight

April 13, 2010
Joshua Wescott, 267-8823 or 669-5606
County Executive

Efforts of Local Youth, Presentations by Local Police Chiefs, Personal Stories from Recovering Alcoholics, to be Showcased at Evening Events A series of three evening forums hosted by the Dane County Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse kicks-off this week at CUNA Mutual in Madison. These forums, held as part of National Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month, will include a wide variety of engaging presentations and discussions all centered on the Coalition’s continuing efforts to counter the cultural acceptance of alcohol overconsumption. The first forum is tonight (Tuesday, April 13) at 6 p.m. The second is Thursday, April 15 at the same time and location and the third event is next Thursday, April 22nd. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk created the Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse in 2008 as one of several strategies to reduce the human and economic harms caused by drinking too much alcohol. “Alcohol overconsumption affects all of us. These forums offer an opportunity for people of all ages, from all walks of life, from all parts of our county to come together and confront the greatest public safety threat we face – alcohol abuse,” Falk said. “We look forward to hosting these forums so more people can engage in this important community effort,” said Steve Goldberg, executive director of the CUNA Mutual Foundation, which has been a member of the coalition since its inception and has underwritten a Project HUGS pilot program addressing alcohol abuse in local middle schools. A full summary of the events planned for each evening is attached. The Dane County Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse includes hundreds of local citizens representing business, education, law enforcement, clergy, and many other neighborhood and community organizations. Those interested in joining the Coalition can sign up online at: http://www.countyofdane.com/commissions/alcohol/ # # #