Saving Lives Drug and Alcohol Coalition Kicks-Off Los Angeles Underage Drinking Prevention Campaign Tuesday, November 13, 2012

West Valley LAPD Community Room

The Saving Lives Drug and Alcohol Coalition has partnered with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Tarzana Treatment Centers, and the San Fernando Valley Partnership to enhance community awareness that underage drinking kills more youth than all illegal drugs combined.

"We're getting the message out," says Susan Blauner, Director of Operations for Saving Lives Drug and Alcohol Coalition, "that no underage drinking is safe underage drinking. We want adults to be responsible and know that if they provide alcohol to underage youth, the consequences can be dire."

Saving Lives will run billboards, bus bench ads, and radio spots in Los Angeles County as part of this holiday campaign to reduce underage consumption of alcohol. In addition, in partnership with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Saving Lives has created a high-quality poster signage which states "BUYING, SELLING, AND/OR PROVIDING ALCOHOL TO YOUTH UNDER 21 IS AGAINST THE LAW" to be posted in the store front windows of vendors who sell alcohol in Los Angeles County.

The warning sign, translated into eight languages, reflecting the diverse community of Los Angeles County, will be unveiled at the press conference. As vendors are the first line of defense against underage drinking, this warning sign is intended to make it clear that vendors need to be responsible sellers of alcoholic beverages. It will also remind employees not to sell to youth under 21.

Ruben Rodriguez, Board Member of Alcohol Justice says, "Adults are already set in their ways but the new market and clients for the alcohol industry are our children. Being that our population in Los Angeles is rich in diversity, we must warn about the dangers of selling alcohol to minors and prevent youth access in every language possible."

While the overall message of the campaign is that underage drinking kills, the campaign also aims to eliminate adults providing alcohol to minors, to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths, and to promote community awareness regarding the problems associated with youth access to alcohol.

The mission of the Saving Lives Coalition is to increase community awareness to reduce drug and alcohol abuse among youth through education, media advocacy, increased enforcement, and changes in policies.

The press conference will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the West Valley Los Angeles Police Department Community Room, 19020 Vanowen Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335.

Speakers include:

• Captain John Egan, West Valley LAPD
• Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield
• Assistant Director Joseph Cruz, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• Jose Salazar, M.P.H., Ph.D., Tarzana Treatment Centers
• Albert Melena, Executive Director, San Fernando Valley Partnership
• Ruben Rodriguez, Board Member, Alcohol Justice
• Scott Seo, SEO & Company
• Susan Blauner, Director of Operations, Saving Lives Drug and Alcohol Coalition

These community leaders will be available to answer media questions.

CONTACT: Alison Graham 310-494-1554
Jorge Castillo 213-840-3336

SOURCE Alcohol Justice