Billed as a “community call to action” the event featured Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard, who served as master of ceremonies for the event and presented on some of the more successful strategies that have been replicated or launched by the Sheriff’s Office over the years.  The underage drinking tip line as well as several advertising campaigns featured on radio public service announcements, billboards, trailers played in area movie theaters, and various printed materials created by the Sheriff’s Office were highlighted. 

Lake Shore Central Superintendent Jeffrey Rabey presented on the practice of mandating parent attendance at drug and alcohol forums in order for students to attend social events like senior proms and homecoming dances.  Lake Shore was the first local district to attempt this strategy four years ago and the practice has since been adopted by over a dozen local schools.  These forums have exposed literally thousands of parents to paraphernalia, signs and symptoms of abuse, and the legal risks of allowing underage drinking parties in the home. 

The keynote speaker for the event was Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.  Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo was especially impressed by the mandatory parent forum strategy and promised to do her part to promote the idea across the state.  Other speakers included Phil Endress, the Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Mental Health, Dr. William Wieczorek, PhD., the Director of the Center for Health and Social Research at Buffalo State College, and Preventionfocus Executive Director Matt Smith.  Former Buffalo Police Chief and current White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director R. Gil Kerlikowske underlined the importance of addressing underage drinking as a national health issue and promised greater support of the prevention effort in a pre-recorded message. 

This event was just one part of Px20’s ongoing multi-dimensional prevention plan.  Organizations involved with Px20 include Action for Mental Health, the Buffalo State College Center for Health & Social Research, the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol & Substance Abuse, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Every Person Influences Children, the Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc., Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Preventionfocus, Inc., Western New York United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc., and West Side Community Services.  The Px20 group works under the guidance of William Fremgen of the Erie County Department of Mental Health.  For more information, go to www.Px20.org.