Town Hall Meeting Kickoff!

Town Hall Meetings (THMs) on underage drinking prevention kick off across the country during the week of March 22, 2010, to coincide with the start of April’s Alcohol Awareness Month. THMs recognize the serious problem of underage alcohol use. Did you know:

• Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among America’s youth.
• A person who begins drinking early in life is more likely to become a heavy drinker during adolescence and to experience alcohol abuse or dependence on alcohol in adulthood.
• Underage youth are the age group with the highest rate of alcohol dependence.
• Most youth who drink alcohol begin doing so in the 7th and 8th grades.
• Most underage drinking takes place at home or in someone else’s home.
• About 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from injuries after engaging in underage drinking.

THMs make a real difference and mobilize communities around underage drinking prevention. By hosting a THM, you are supporting the implementation of evidence-based strategies that have proven to be effective in preventing underage alcohol use.

More than 1,800 THMs are taking place nationwide this year. Media have already begun reporting on many of these events and highlighting the work of groups like yours. Check out the Countdown Timeline for Maximum Media Coverage for tips on working well with the media and getting the media to cover your THM event.