Town hall meetings across the state to address alcohol and underage drinking

Illinois Department of Human Services announces plans for '1 Night, 1 Mic, 100 Meetings' to raise awareness, mobilize communities and initiate plans for addressing underage drinking         

[MARCH 9, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Carol L. Adams, Ph.D., outlined plans for "One night, One Mic, 100 Meetings," a series of community forums on alcohol to be held in 100 Illinois communities on March 28. Adams made the announcement Wednesday at the IDHS Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Conference at the Springfield Hilton.

"Alcohol is the number one drug problem in Illinois, affecting millions of Illinoisans either directly or through a family member," Adams said. "This is the first time this type of statewide event has been planned in Illinois, and it's a significant milestone in the prevention of underage drinking. We encourage all citizens to become involved and join in the town hall meetings in their communities."

The IDHS Division of Community Health and Prevention is organizing the 100 town hall meetings with assistance from local community leaders and substance abuse prevention experts.

The town meetings are being funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.

"We know that prevention can effectively reduce underage drinking," said Steven Guerra, director of the Division of Community Health and Prevention. "Prevention interventions need to be proactive and engage youth and families as well as community members, including teachers, coaches, retailers, clergy and others. The town meetings will help us in developing comprehensive and consistent interventions to reduce underage drinking."

According to Illinois Department of Human Services statistics, more than 48,000 Illinoisans, including 3,100 youth, received treatment for alcohol addiction at state-funded programs last year. More than two-thirds of Illinois teenagers report use of alcohol. Half of all fatal automobile crashes involving teenagers are alcohol-related.

The mission of the Office of Prevention in the department's Division of Community Health and Prevention is to promote and implement coordinated, innovative community-based prevention strategies and provide a wide range of comprehensive prevention efforts designed to prevent domestic violence; alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse; and juvenile delinquency.

More than 400 prevention and treatment professionals from throughout Illinois are attending the IDHS Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Conference to develop a joint strategy for addressing substance abuse issues in Illinois.

[Illinois Department of Human Services news release]