Putnam Represented at New York State Hearing on Underage Drinking

-Albany, NY 

Assemblyman and Chairman of the Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Steven Cymbrowitz (D- Brooklyn), along with Representatives Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn), Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx), Michael DenDekker (D- Queens), and Eric Stevenson (D-Bronx) held a hearing on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in Albany, NY, regarding underage drinking in New York State in light of the possible cuts facing substance use prevention services. The hearing included testimony from youth leaders, law enforcement personnel,  NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez,  John Coppola, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP), and Dan Sisto, Chairman of Law Enforcement Against Drunk Driving. 

Putnam County was represented at the hearing by Kristin E. Cafiero, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam and Elaine N. Santos, Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition Coordinator. The hearing focused on the prevention of underage drinking by limiting accessibility, curbing the high amount of advertising youth are exposed to on a daily basis, researching the possibility of an alcohol beverage surcharge, and discussing the controversial move of allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets and gas stations in the State. Also discussed were the possible consequences, positive and/or negative, of lowering the drinking age. Future hearings will take place for each specific strategy or concern outlined during the 17 testimonies. 

Both Putnam representatives were on hand to participate in the important discussion and stand for the County’s stance on risk and protective factors as it relates to underage alcohol intake. “In Putnam County, we have a rate of 38.8% of all students’ grades 8-12 admitting to alcohol consumption within the past 30 days, so we must remain vigilant in trying to take preventive measures to protect our youth. Cutting prevention services at a time when our community needs it most would be tragic” stated Cafiero. 

Cymbrowitz said that it was clear from the testimony of many of the witnesses that New York State must continue to invest in providing a full range of preventive services.  “In 2007, substance abuse cost New York State $3.5 billion due to work loss, medical care and other problems related to young people using alcohol. Now is not the time to cut spending on prevention programs.  With a multi-billion price tag on underage drinking we can’t afford to ignore the problem, we must deal with it head on”. 

For alcohol and substance information and referral services, please contact the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies at (845) 225-4646.