WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) December 10, 2002, UPDATED December 11, 2002:As of today, 38 high schools, including the White Plains Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors, and 26 police departments have said they expect to be represented at County Executive Andy Spano’s summit on teen drinking to be held tomorrow at the Westchester County Center.
They will explore three preliminary initiatives of County Executive Andy Spano, as well as offer suggestions of their own, including one of an offer of amnesty from suffering the consequences of school disciplinary procedures, to encourage reporting of medical emergencies.
The summit, which Spano announced in October, will bring together principals, students, parents and police. It will take place at the Westchester County Center. The participants will first meet in separate groups with their peers, and at 10 a.m. Spano will convene them into a large group where discussion will continue.
Spano has put on the table for discussion several initiatives. These are:
1. School Amnesty Policy: A proposal for a school amnesty policy that can be adopted by public and private schools. The policy would encourage teens to call for help for alcohol-related medical emergencies by providing amnesty from the consequences of violating school policies. When teen drinking turns into a medical emergency, the first concern must be to protect the health and safety of the young people involved.
“Medical amnesty does not mean that we condone the act of drinking among teens, but that we want to remove all potential barriers that would prevent a young person from securing the necessary help for a friend,” Spano said.
2. Stiffer Penalties from Albany. A proposal to increase the penalties for underage possession of alcohol with intent to consume. At the moment, public possession with intent to consume is a violation of the Alcohol Beverage Control and Vehicle and Traffic Law.
It provides minimal penalties such as referral to an alcohol awareness program or a $50 fine. This proposal explores the possibility of raising the penalties. This proposal would require action of the state Legislature, and could be included in the county’s annual State Legislative Package.
3. Make Public Intoxication by 16-and-overs a Crime. A proposal to make public intoxication by a minor a violation of the law. This proposal explores the possibility of making underage public intoxication a violation of the law, thereby increasing the options available to law enforcement, encouraging parental involvement, and providing a way for intoxicated teens to get help.
This proposal would require action of the state Legislature and also could be included in the county’s legislative package.
This proposal is aimed at dealing with instances where teens have been drinking publicly but no alcohol can be found in their possession.
This proposal could only apply to people 16 years and over, because younger children are not dealt with by the criminal system, but are treated as Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS).
Review of County Efforts and “Best Practices”
As a follow up to the conference, participants will receive a list of “best practices” that are being implemented in schools and communities throughout Westchester. Hearing what works in other areas will help communities shape dynamic and effective programs for themselves.
Westchester County has been a leader in developing and implementing prevention efforts including:
• Over 3,400 hours of overtime patrol in nearly 40 municipalities directly contributing close to $200,000 towards enforcing DWI laws with another $160,000 budgeted for the remainder of this fiscal year
• Nearly $300,000 in educational assistance including literature, educational videotapes and aids, as well as student activities made available to every high school in Westchester County.
• The ROADD (Reduce Our Adolescent Drinking/Drugging and Driving) Program in 12 high schools reaching over 1,400 students annually
• April 2000, a county-sponsored conference with school nurses to deal with symptoms of acute intoxication
• May 2000, a conference for professionals on teen binge-drinking
• February 2001, a conference for doctors and nurses in emergency rooms dealing with acute drinking
• April 2001, a kickoff of the Teen Drinking Action Council, for high school students, and ongoing activities of the council
• May 2001, a conference for hotel managers in advance of proms
• April 2002, a leadership event for 200 middle school students
• Annually, assembly programs in 10 high schools and 10 middle schools
• Annual “STOP-DWI” conference for Police Officers
• Annual SADD leadership lunches for students
• Annual poster contests for students
• Prom fashion show featuring teen leaders in drinking/driving prevention
• Production and countywide distribution of fact sheets on alcohol poisoning, parenting for prevention, and zero tolerance
• Annual letter to limousine and bus companies during prom season
• Information distributed each prom season to schools for parents and students
• “Reality Walls” in at least 20 schools throughout Westchester
Spirit of the Conference
Executive Spano commented:
“While teen drinking is nothing new, the current attention to this problem has brought to light the need to step up local efforts to prevent underage drinking and related consequences,” said Spano. “At this summit we will be asking participants to let us know what they think of some preliminary proposals we have distributed as well as to offer ideas of their own.”
He added, “There are many agencies and officials that are now involved in this issue. This is good – the more awareness, the better.”
