• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News
  • Subscribe

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

 

Guest column: Community officials make advances in preventing underage drinking

Posted at 7:52 pm September 21, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns Leave a Comment

By Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) of Anderson County

The Anderson County Underage Drinking Task Force is completing its first year of existence, one which proved to be quite productive.

The Task Force kicked off last September when it assembled key stakeholders from beer boards, law enforcement agencies, government officials, and businesses across different jurisdictions in Anderson County to identify barriers to compliance with underage drinking laws, with a focus on developing local solutions. Over the last year, the Task Force has worked to review alcohol policies of all jurisdictions in Anderson County.

As part of the review process, the Task Force identified a need for consistency throughout the county on alcohol regulations. Through collaborative dialogue, members discovered that many business owners have locations in two or even three different municipalities, each regulated by different rules.

After the review process, the Task Force embarked on a project to standardize policies across jurisdictions. Members focused on policies that would help businesses remain compliant with underage drinking laws with a goal of reducing underage drinking in Anderson County. The Task Force focused on a standard penalty structure for selling to an underage person and a responsible alcohol sales training ordinance, requiring all employees of beer permit holders to attend annual responsible alcohol sales training.

The policy changes initiated by the Task Force have made a difference in underage drinking rates in the county in short order. As measured by a student survey (2012 and 2014 6th-12th Grade Risk and Protective Factor Survey), there has been a 10 percent decrease in past 30-day use of alcohol since the Responsible Alcohol Sales training ordinance was passed.

Additionally, in jurisdictions where the ordinance has already passed (Anderson County, Oliver Springs), there has been a 6 percent increase in compliance with underage drinking laws and 100 percent compliance among employees trained through the responsible alcohol sales training offered by Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) of Anderson County.

ASAP would like to commend the community leaders who have dedicated their time to create a safe community. A special thanks is extended to Vice-Chairmen Steven Phillips, Anderson County Beer Board; Commissioner Tim Isbel, Anderson County Beer Board Chair; Special Agent Derrick Dalton, Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission; Chief Ken Morgan, Oliver Springs Police Department; Assistant Chief Vaughn Becker, Clinton Police Department; District Attorney General Dave Clark, Seventh Judicial District; Assistant District Attorney Melissa Denny, Seventh Judicial District; Councilman Shane Vowell, Rocky Top; Chief James Shetterly, Rocky Top Police Department; Alderman Terry Craze, Oliver Springs; Councilman E.T. Stamey, Clinton; Kim Guinn, Anderson County Beer Board; Kim Pouncey, TopshelfRBS; Mayor Scott Burton, Clinton; Captain Mike Uher, Oak Ridge Police Department; Mayor Terry Frank, Anderson County; Commissioner Theresa Scott, Oak Ridge Beer Board; Wendy Williams, Oak Ridge Beer Board; R.C. Burton, Anderson County Beer Board; Commissioner Steve Emert, Anderson County Beer Board; Deputy David Masengill, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office; Sergeant Jim Leinart, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office; Councilman York Haverkamp, Norris; and Catherine Brunson, Facilitator.

For more information on the Anderson County Underage Drinking Task Force, please contact Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention at (865) 457-3007 or [email protected].

Filed Under: Anderson County, Community, Government, Guest Columns, Nonprofits, Opinion Tagged With: alcohol sales, Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County, Anderson County Underage Drinking Task Force, ASAP, beer board, beer permit, Michael Foster, underage drinking

Advertisements

 


Join the club!

If you appreciate our work, please consider subscribing. Besides helping us, your subscription will give you access to our premium content.

Some of our stories are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our members—advertisers, subscribers, and sponsors.

But some are premium content, available only to members. Those are in-depth, investigative, or exclusive stories that are available only on Oak Ridge Today. They generally require significant time to report, write, and publish.

You can subscribe for as little as $5 per month.

You can read more about your options here.

We currently offer five primary subscription options to readers, and they include benefits.

Basic

  • Basic monthly subscription ($5 per month)—access premium content
  • Basic annual subscription ($60 per year)—access premium content

Pro

  • Pro monthly subscription ($10 per month)—access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month
  • Pro annual subscription ($100 per year)—save $20 per year, access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and submit one press release or public service announcement per month

Temporary

  • Temporary access ($3 per week for two weeks)

We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here.

We also accept donations. You can donate here.

If you prefer to send a check for a subscription or donation, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

Thank you for your consideration and for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support.

Commenting Guidelines

We welcome comments, but we ask you to follow a few guidelines:

1) Please use your real name, including last name. Please also use a valid e-mail address.
2) Be civil. Don't insult others, attack their character, or get personal.
3) Stick to the issues.
4) No profanity.
5) Keep your comments to a reasonable length and to a reasonable number per article.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these guidelines. Comments held for review, usually from those posting for the first time, may not post if they violate these guidelines. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you also for reading Oak Ridge Today and for participating in the discussion.

More information is available here.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Community News

Free dental, vision, medical services in February

Remote Area Medical (RAM)—a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision, and medical care to those in need—will have a free, two-day clinic in Oak Ridge in February. The clinic … [Read More...]

Tickets on sale for Flatwater Storytelling Festival

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in June will feature three nationally acclaimed storytellers: Lyn Ford, Bil Lepp, and Rev. Robert B. Jones. "Well-known to audiences throughout the country for their wit and … [Read More...]

Bird courtship to be discussed in UT Arboretum Society program

Bird courtship will be discussed in a pre-recorded program of the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society in February. "Bird courtship has begun!" a press release said. "Either from new partnerships being formed or … [Read More...]

Democratic Women’s Club to hear from AC Emergency Rescue Squad

Representatives of the Anderson County Emergency Rescue Squad will be guest speakers when the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club meets at 6 p.m. Monday, January 23, at Shoney’s Restaurant, 204 South Illinois Avenue … [Read More...]

Medicaid expansion forum is Tuesday

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge and co-sponsors are hosting a forum on Medicaid expansion in Tennessee on Tuesday. The forum is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, in the ORAU Pollard Auditorium at … [Read More...]

More Community

More Government News

Residents discuss Dollar General in Marlow

A handful of Anderson County residents have expressed mixed opinions in government meetings about a reported proposal to build a Dollar General store next to Oliver Springs Highway in Marlow, but the Anderson County … [Read More...]

Read city manager’s retirement letter

This is a copy of the January 17 retirement letter from Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to the seven Oak Ridge City Council members. Since August of 2010, I have been proud to serve the City of Oak Ridge as its … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge Public Library

Library restrooms will be renovated

The restrooms at the Oak Ridge Public Library will be renovated starting February 1. The renovations are expected to be completed by June 1. The renovations will result in increased accessibility under Americans … [Read More...]

Breakfast with Legislators resumes Monday

Breakfast with the Legislators begins this year on Monday. The monthly breakfasts are scheduled each year while the Tennessee General Assembly is in session. They are hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, … [Read More...]

Former AC Commissioner Hitchcock dies

Note: This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. Harry "Whitey" Hitchcock, who represented part of Oak Ridge in three terms on Anderson County Commission, died January 10. A former teacher, he was 76. Hitchcock served on … [Read More...]

More Government

More Opinion

Letter: Submarine Veterans base commander ‘very disappointed’ with festival this year

To the Editor: The Smoky Mountain Submarine Veterans, the Knoxville chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans, has had a booth and performed a Tolling of the Boats Ceremony at the Secret City Festival for the … [Read More...]

Five ways to foster resilience in young children

By Marjorie Alcorn: Home Visitor Healthy Families Tennessee/Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee East Region Resilience is defined as the ability to thrive, adapt and cope despite tough and stressful times. It’s a natural … [Read More...]

Letter: Oak Ridge Country Club responds to comments made at Council meeting

Editor's note: This is a letter sent to Oak Ridge City Council by the Oak Ridge Country Club in response to comments made during a City Council meeting in January, when Council considered whether to provide $120,000 for … [Read More...]

Opinion: How far can we move the needle?

By Ron Woody The buzz around the Roane County Courthouse and School Board has been what will our leaders do about the future of education in Roane County? The initial discussions were about consolidation of high … [Read More...]

Billy Paul Sams

Letter: Anderson County Bar Association wants to name law library after Billy Sams

Editor's note: The Anderson County Bar Association and legal community is proceeding with an effort to name the Anderson County Law Library after Billy Sams because "you never saw him without a book in his hands." Here … [Read More...]

More Opinion

Recent Posts

  • Speakers mostly support TRISO-X fuel facility at meeting
  • UPF construction could cost more, take longer
  • Y-12 celebrates new fire station, emergency operations center
  • One person seriously injured in Wednesday crash
  • Oak Ridge EM prepared for cold weather to prevent failures
  • Covenant Health donating land for Roane State health science center
  • School board approves aviation career path
  • Wildcats name new football coach
  • Free dental, vision, medical services in February
  • Junior Playhouse performs ‘Gingerbread: Hansel & Gretel’ in February

Search Oak Ridge Today

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today
What We Cover

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2023 Oak Ridge Today