Leadership to Reduce Underage Drinking

Oregon Partnership provides strong leadership to reduce underage alcohol use, the state's number one drug problem among youth.  For the past eight years, it has been Oregon's primary advocate for public policies to reduce underage drinking through funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

In 2005, Oregon Partnership convened a new statewide leadership team called “Leadership for Alcohol Free Kids”.  This group developed a set of strategies for the state based on recommendations form the National Academy of Sciences landmark report, “Underage Drinking, a Collective Responsibility.”  In October 2005, the strategies were presented to Governor Kulongoski with a request to make this issue a priority.  He has done just that.  In addition, at the request of the Leadership group, Attorney General Hardy Meyers appointed a task force to propose needed revisions to Oregon law. 

Click here to see the Leadership's recommendations and a list of members. 

Oregon Partnership's priorities include:

• Advocating for an increase in the price of alcohol and an increase in penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors
• Supporting increased enforcement of underage drinking laws through fair compliance checks, illegal party interdiction, and adequate consequences for violations
• Promoting parent networks and classes based on the belief that good parents can become better parents
• Educating parents and other adults about the high rates of underage drinking and involving youth in the development of radio advertising and other public awareness messages

For more information please call: 503-244-5211