Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Alcohol Education Conference Focuses Attention on Alcohol-Related Issues in College/University Communities

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To mark Alcohol Education Month, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control today kicked off a two-day statewide conference that addresses the challenges associated with underage and dangerous drinking, particularly in communities that are home to colleges and universities. This year's theme is "Smashing Silos, Building Communities: Partnering for Solutions to Underage and Dangerous Drinking."

"While virtually every community in Pennsylvania copes with problems caused by underage and dangerous drinking, nowhere are those problems more acute than in college and university towns," said PLCB Chairman Joseph E. Brion. "This conference provides a great opportunity for community and university leaders to gather and share ideas and strategies to address the unique challenges they face as a result of underage and binge drinking."

Now in its 12th year, the conference hosts workshops on a variety of topics, including fraudulent ID detection and investigation, MADD's Power of Parents, a national program aimed at helping parents talk to their teenagers about alcohol and community strategies to prevent and respond to underage and dangerous drinking issues. For example, State College borough and Penn State officials will conduct a session on the comprehensive community approach they have taken to address the annual drinking party known as State Patty's Day. They will share how community leaders and university officials collaborated to reduce alcohol-induced activities and ultimately improve the health and safety of students and local residents.

"We've been hearing a lot lately about dangerous drinking by large groups of students, and not just at Penn State. It's happening in other college towns, including Indiana, Pennsylvania, which is where I live," said Robert S. Marcus, PLCB member. "Some communities have taken a proactive approach to mitigate the impact of underage and dangerous drinking and are experiencing positive results. We want to give those who are interested the opportunity to learn what works and perhaps what doesn't so they can use their limited resources in the most effective way possible."

A presentation by officials from West Chester borough and West Chester University will highlight the relationships they've built and the strategies they've implemented to collaboratively address the effects of underage and dangerous drinking. Funding for some of these efforts was provided by PLCB grants.

"Part of the PLCB's mission is to advocate for the responsible use of alcohol and work to prevent underage drinking. In addition to the conference, we provide financial support through our annual alcohol education grant program," said PLCB Member Tim Holden. "In 2013-15, the PLCB provided 16 community grants, 20 college and university grants, 24 law enforcement grants and one school district grant to address some of the alcohol-related issues in town/gown communities and we will continue our commitment to those communities moving forward."

The free conference, held this year at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in New Cumberland, is hosted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board with financial support provided by the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association.

Media contact: Stacy Kriedeman, 717.783.8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board