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August 26, 2005

Campus, area law enforcement announce
effort to reduce problem drinking

Officials from Sacramento State and local law enforcement today announced the launch of a multi-agency effort to encourage responsible drinking among college students at a press conference on campus.

The announcement comes as Sacramento State prepares for the first day of classes on Monday.

Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez said that even though problem drinking is less of a problem at Sacramento State than on many campuses, students here are not immune to the problems associated with high-risk drinking. He noted that recent surveys found Sacramento State students generally drink less than their counterparts and that the campus wants to challenge the notion that excessive drinking is part of the college experience.

Gonzalez was joined at the event by Sacramento Police Chief Albert Najera, Sacramento County Undersheriff John McGinness, Assistant Director-Northern Division for California State Alcoholic Beverage Control Manuel Diaz, Sacramento State Police Chief Ken Barnett and student alcohol educator Katie Keithler.

Throughout the semester, the group will coordinate efforts to prevent underage drinking, educate students of legal drinking age on how to be a responsible and safe party host, and enforce current laws that discourage both drinking and driving, and alcohol consumption by minors. These efforts include:

• A "Wanna Party?" brochure that provides information on how to serve alcohol responsibly, deal with intoxicated guests and be a good neighbor, as well as what to do if a party gets out of control. The brochures were distributed at freshmen orientation and are being provided to managers of large apartment complexes near campus. Student behavior data collected for the Safer California Universities Study by the Prevention Resource Center indicates that the majority of student drinking problems are generated at house and apartment parties where most drinkers are underage rather than at bars and restaurants.
• Undercover or "decoy" operations at stores that sell alcohol to ensure they are not selling to minors.
• An increase in the number and frequency of DUI checkpoints near the campus to discourage drunken driving. The first is planned by the "Avoid the 12" partnership of local law enforcement agencies for the weekend of Sept. 24, in conjunction with the annual Causeway Classic football game between Sacramento State and UC Davis.
• Party patrols in neighborhoods to identity and intervene in out-of-control party situations.

The group also expressed support for Sacramento's "Response Cost" ordinance that imposes fines on those who repeatedly require community or police response. The partnership is part of a 14-campus California-based study funded through a grant from the National Institute for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse and administered by the Prevention Resource Center.

Media assistance is available by contacting the Sacramento State public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

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