A group of agencies will get together to educate the public about the dangers of underage drinking and ways to prevent alcohol abuse among minors.
The Community Prevention Coalition, the Tucson-Pima County Commission on Addiction Prevention and Treatment and Compass Health Care will present "Lunch & Learn: Reducing Underage Drinking in Your Community" on Friday.
The forum will be held at Ministerios Vida Nueva, 330 W. Nebraska St., and will feature presentations from the Arizona Army National Guard Drug Reduction Program, the Task Force to Reduce Underage Drinking and a woman who was injured when she was hit by a drunken driver in a vehicle crash, said Amy Bass, program coordinator for the Community Prevention Coalition, Compass Health Care.
"With this forum we're hoping to raise community awareness on the issue and engage the community in environmental strategies," Bass said.
People are also reading…
The forum's goal is to deter parents and distributors from providing alcohol to underage drinkers, she said.
"There's sort of the notion that alcohol is legal for adults, so it's OK," she said. "It is known that youth who start drinking underage are more prone to alcoholism and addiction."
The National Guard's presentation will include audience participation with Fatal Vision Goggles, which exhibit the dangers of being under the influence of alcohol. Jean Young, who suffered head injuries in an accident with a drunken driver, will share a personal perspective of drunken driving, Bass said.
The task force will present strategies to help communities reduce drunken driving, she said.
"We want everyone to be aware and give them the skills to resist."
SOUTH SIDE
If you go
What: Lunch & Learn: Reducing Underage Drinking in Your Community.
Where: Ministerios Vida Nueva, 330 W. Nebraska St.
When: 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Friday.
For more information: Call The Community Prevention Coalition at 205-4781.
