Drew Smith, Devel Dir at the Chapel Hill YMCA described the 18,000 sq. ft. Youth Center. The capitol campaign has already raised 1 million of the 5 million needed to build a community place, for teens ranging from 13 to 18 years, to be completed by 2010. This is a community project. The most recent Middle School Madness event was a success. There were over 500 students in attendance. Jerry Whortan, Exec Dir, spoke about the interest and needs he has heard from both parents and students of a multi-cultural community. For more information or to make a donation, contact Jerry or Drew.
Stephanie Willis, Health Coordinator for the CHCCS, spoke about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results are a combination of the standard survey and a survey which includes questions involving attitudes, perceptions and behaviors. Chapel Hill Police participated in a forum which included Administrators, Student Resource Officers and Substance Abuse Staff about increasing awareness of prescription drug use. Efforts have been made to double up efforts and including canines in searches. Both the Drug and Alcohol Awareness Task Force (Carole Groux, Dale Prattt-Wilson and Robin Clark) and the District Substance Abuse Task Force are combining to discuss new additions to the school policy, development of new materials and looking for other ways to get awareness materials to students and families. One policy change that was discussed is that off-campus substance abuse will result in loss of campus parking and off-campus lunchtime privildges.
Eric Smith, UNC Wellness Services, thanked the CHPD for the control at the Halloween celebration. Eric is involved in the review of the policies and finding better ways of enforcing them. He spoke about core survey shows a large reduction in binge drinking. Also, there are more preemptive measures for incoming students. Wellness Services is involved in the development of strategies to help control drinking for at risk students. One of the developments is known as Environment Management for students, faculty and staff. This includes science based strategies, moving towards Social Norming, streamlining policies and enforcement, and one-on-one assessment.
Dan Sykes, Orange County ABC Board, read amounts and percentages of profits that have been donated for alcohol awareness and law enforcement. The strong ties with the CHPD, Carrboro PD and OC Sheriff to perform compliance checks. A vendor has been chosen to supply the I.D. Scanners and a few of the local ABC stores have them installed. Each store has an Education Center, which provides brochures and information on substance abuse. Warning messages about underage drinking are being printed on the bags. Staff is being educated and trained for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol. The state is analyzing the efficiency by which liquor is sold. A possible outcome of the evaluation is that liquor sales could be removed from current Alcohol Beverage Control operations and privatized for private businesses to control the sale of hard liquor. One of the major issues regarding the privatization of liquor sales was the impact upon revenues provided to local governments. According to NC House Bill 1292, a study was conducted of possible ABC store privatization results. The study was designed to analyze methods other states use to regulate alcohol distribution and discern the feasibility of partial privatization (the state privatizes the retail function but retains the wholesale function of liquor distribution) and full privatization (the state privatizes both the retail and wholesale functions of liquor distribution). Local ABC boards are concerned about the potential loss of revenue to local municipalities.
Carole Groux, CADFT explained the Safe Homes website and the intended use. Currently recruiting teens to raise awareness and to get families involved in making the promise that their home will not be subjected to underage drinkers.
Trish Halsey, Dir Carpe Diem, spoke about Carpe Diem, a Chapel Hill First Offenders Program for Alcohol Violations. This is a six-week, five-session program being run as a pilot. Each session is two hours in length with an average of 16 students. There will be outside assignments and a group community service project. Students will spend a total of 15 hours fulfilling the requirements of Carpe Diem. Groups will focus on risk reduction, stress management, alcohol and drug education, replacement behaviors, self-awareness and effective interpersonal skills. The group has been visited by speakers, such as Matt Sullivan, who spoke about current laws and how they are enforced. In phase II of the program, beginning in 09, more groups will be attending. For more information contact Trish at chapelhillfop@gmail.com or call (919) 240-5521. Also, Orange County offers Project Turn Around, for students 16 years or older.
Dale spoke about the Coalition funding from supporting organizations throughout the county. The Underage Drinking Research Initiative has made great strides in building more coalitions for supporting alcohol and drug free communities countrywide. The Alcohol Purchase Surveys are still being conducted and the results are being given to local law enforcement and ALE with a request for a full compliance check using an underage buyer.
The NC Institute of Medicine Task Force on Substance Abuse Services has an Interim Report to the NC General Assembly, as well as the presentation for the Implications for Adolescents by Pam Silberman, JD, DrPH. President & CEONC Institute of Mental Health.
Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, announced that the NCIoMTF full report should be released in Jan 09. He spoke about the "Price vs. Use" or Usage Fees that help in saving costs to Public Health. He talked about the research being done on the Effects of Alcohol Tax Increases on Alcohol-Related Disease Mortality in Alaska: Time-Series Analyses from 1976 to 2004 done by Dr. Alexander C. Wagenaar in the Amer Jour of Public Health. The cost of underage drinking is estimated at $1.2 billion per year and increasing the tax could raise 80 million per year to support abuse programs. You can view information from the Institute of Medicine. Other links to visit are the Underage Drinking Education Training Center and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Karen Lewis (minutes missing)
Andrea Hussong, PhD UNC-CH, (minutes missing) is developing a Prevention Program for Young Children living in Alcoholic Families. For more info contact Andrea Hussong at hussong@unc.edu or call (919) 962-2537.
Linda Hammock (minutes missing)
Laura Wenzel, Pa'lante Director (minutes missing). Pa'lante events are posted at Radio Pa'lante 103.5. Click here to hear about their group.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Community Coalition Meeting
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Fall lunch meeting on:
Thursday, November 20th at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement.
A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Saturday, November 15th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.
Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.CHCcoalition.org
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Fall lunch meeting on:
Thursday, November 20th at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement.
A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Saturday, November 15th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.
Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.CHCcoalition.org
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Spring Meeting Notes 2008
A member from the UNC Health Services spoke about the "Wellness Services"Alcohol Education Classes and the Substance Abuse Prevention programs. The Campus Police have a new citation to work towards accountability. Also, there may be a $100K grant coming the NCAA for funding.
Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results have been merged with the results from a more in-depth survey which was developed locally. The merged results are showing trends are decreasing. She thanked both Orange County ABC and Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools as contributors. Regina Probst was involved in OPC receiving funding for Drug Free NC. Pam Diggs was mentioned for her involvement in the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered.
Chapel Hill High School sponsored two mock car crashes the day before the school's prom. The community agencies who made the event happen include Chapel Hill Police, Chapel Hill Fire Department, Carrboro Police, Carrboro Fire Department, Orange County EMS, Orange County 911 Operations, Orange County Sheriff's department and NC ALE agents.
Matt Sullivan of the CHPD gave an update on the Parent Education Forums or "Reality Check". The goal of these events is to get information about drugs and alcohol to parents. Over 200 parents from the local middle and high schools attended the presentations. They also help form parent alliances. Matt also has shared the youth risk behavior survey at the CHPD in-services.
Drew Smith, Devel Dir at the Chapel Hill YMCA unveiled displays of plans for a new Youth Center. A capitol campaign has begun to raise 5 million to build a community place for after school programs. Focus groups have been formed to determine what types of things will be included. To mention a few, homework rooms, battle of the bands, freestyling, gymnasium, boomerang program, and much more. Jeff Lloyd, Asst Youth Dir, has had more success holding the Middle School Madness events. These nights include open basketball, having the aerobics room become a dance hall and making concessions available. For more information or to make a donation, contact Jerry Whortan, Exec Dir or Drew Smith, Devel Dir.
The Town of Chapel Hill’s Youth Council will accept applications through June 30 from high school students interested in joining. The youth council is a great way for students to meet their peers across the school district. Since its first meeting on Jan. 28 with 16 students, the youth council has grown to 24 students. Applicants must reside within the district of Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, but they may be attending public, private, home school or charter school. The youth council currently meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St. The purpose of the youth council is to familiarize and involve its members with the various departments of Town government, the Town Council and Mayor’s Office. Participants also are expected to become involved in community service projects. Through membership in the State Youth Advocacy Council, there are opportunities to attend workshops, conferences and retreats designed to enhance leadership, team building, and service learning skills. Applications and information is available online at townhall.townofchapelhill.org/parks_&_rec/youth_council or by contacting Liz Mason Carter at 968-2787 x 212 or mail her lcarter@townofchapelhill.org.
Judy, ABC Board, has been evaluating I.D. Scanners for the ABC stores. They have been having success with the number of brochures being taken and the underage drinking messages printed on the paper bags. ABC has also been applying for educational grants to help raise funds. She spoke about the TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) education and training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol.
Laura Wenzel, Pa'lante Director, was involved in creating presentation on alcohol use and consequences. The presentation was shown several times at different places such as the Annual Health Fair at the UNC Hospital. There were surveys that were given before and after the presentation with good results. Pa'lante will host Nights of the Stars at the Carrboro Century Center on June 12th. This is an alcohol-free event. Radio Pa'lante broadcasted prom info about safe dating and setting boundaries. The teens were talking about not drinking as well.
Lauren Wilson, Agent of the Alcohol Law Enforcement, has been handing out violations and having the CHPD follow up on alcohol compliance checks.
Craig Lloyd, Executive Director MADD NC spoke about the many programs that are sponsored by MADD. Protecting You, Protecting Me, Road Ready Teens, Think MADD, For Your Child, Outside the Classroom, UMADD, Parent Resources, Youth Statistics, Laws in NC, Why 21, Media Resources, 3 Screen School Assembly programs and MADD Class Packs.
Dale spoke about the NHTSA Grant, the Roadside Survey performed by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. More parents want Law Enforcement to pursue those providing alcohol to our youth more than searching for parties. She also nominated the CHPD for "Law Enforcement Partner of the Year", talked about the Cat's Cradle asking for volunteers to do breathalyzers for youth entering the establishment, the Alcohol Purchase Surveys to find if establishments are selling without asking for an ID, and thanked the CHPD once more for following up on doing compliance checks.
Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, gave more kudos to the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police for their involvement. He spoke about the "Tipping Point", where the community takes control from the vendors of the vice. For example, the impact that "Truth" had on cigarette sales. Take It Back is a national youth-directed movement to reduce alcohol problems. He mentioned environmental management strategies and the influence of the OJJDP. The Strategic Prevention Framework. The governors’ proposed budget includes increasing the alcohol tax to raise funds for substance abuse programs. The cost of underage drinking is estimated at $1.2 billion per year and increasing the tax could raise 80 million per year to support abuse programs. You can view information from the Institute of Medicine.
Stephanie Willis, CHCCS, spoke about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The results have been merged with the results from a more in-depth survey which was developed locally. The merged results are showing trends are decreasing. She thanked both Orange County ABC and Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools as contributors. Regina Probst was involved in OPC receiving funding for Drug Free NC. Pam Diggs was mentioned for her involvement in the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered.
Chapel Hill High School sponsored two mock car crashes the day before the school's prom. The community agencies who made the event happen include Chapel Hill Police, Chapel Hill Fire Department, Carrboro Police, Carrboro Fire Department, Orange County EMS, Orange County 911 Operations, Orange County Sheriff's department and NC ALE agents.
Matt Sullivan of the CHPD gave an update on the Parent Education Forums or "Reality Check". The goal of these events is to get information about drugs and alcohol to parents. Over 200 parents from the local middle and high schools attended the presentations. They also help form parent alliances. Matt also has shared the youth risk behavior survey at the CHPD in-services.
Drew Smith, Devel Dir at the Chapel Hill YMCA unveiled displays of plans for a new Youth Center. A capitol campaign has begun to raise 5 million to build a community place for after school programs. Focus groups have been formed to determine what types of things will be included. To mention a few, homework rooms, battle of the bands, freestyling, gymnasium, boomerang program, and much more. Jeff Lloyd, Asst Youth Dir, has had more success holding the Middle School Madness events. These nights include open basketball, having the aerobics room become a dance hall and making concessions available. For more information or to make a donation, contact Jerry Whortan, Exec Dir or Drew Smith, Devel Dir.
The Town of Chapel Hill’s Youth Council will accept applications through June 30 from high school students interested in joining. The youth council is a great way for students to meet their peers across the school district. Since its first meeting on Jan. 28 with 16 students, the youth council has grown to 24 students. Applicants must reside within the district of Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, but they may be attending public, private, home school or charter school. The youth council currently meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St. The purpose of the youth council is to familiarize and involve its members with the various departments of Town government, the Town Council and Mayor’s Office. Participants also are expected to become involved in community service projects. Through membership in the State Youth Advocacy Council, there are opportunities to attend workshops, conferences and retreats designed to enhance leadership, team building, and service learning skills. Applications and information is available online at townhall.townofchapelhill.org/parks_&_rec/youth_council or by contacting Liz Mason Carter at 968-2787 x 212 or mail her lcarter@townofchapelhill.org.
Judy, ABC Board, has been evaluating I.D. Scanners for the ABC stores. They have been having success with the number of brochures being taken and the underage drinking messages printed on the paper bags. ABC has also been applying for educational grants to help raise funds. She spoke about the TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) education and training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol.
Laura Wenzel, Pa'lante Director, was involved in creating presentation on alcohol use and consequences. The presentation was shown several times at different places such as the Annual Health Fair at the UNC Hospital. There were surveys that were given before and after the presentation with good results. Pa'lante will host Nights of the Stars at the Carrboro Century Center on June 12th. This is an alcohol-free event. Radio Pa'lante broadcasted prom info about safe dating and setting boundaries. The teens were talking about not drinking as well.
Lauren Wilson, Agent of the Alcohol Law Enforcement, has been handing out violations and having the CHPD follow up on alcohol compliance checks.
Craig Lloyd, Executive Director MADD NC spoke about the many programs that are sponsored by MADD. Protecting You, Protecting Me, Road Ready Teens, Think MADD, For Your Child, Outside the Classroom, UMADD, Parent Resources, Youth Statistics, Laws in NC, Why 21, Media Resources, 3 Screen School Assembly programs and MADD Class Packs.
Dale spoke about the NHTSA Grant, the Roadside Survey performed by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. More parents want Law Enforcement to pursue those providing alcohol to our youth more than searching for parties. She also nominated the CHPD for "Law Enforcement Partner of the Year", talked about the Cat's Cradle asking for volunteers to do breathalyzers for youth entering the establishment, the Alcohol Purchase Surveys to find if establishments are selling without asking for an ID, and thanked the CHPD once more for following up on doing compliance checks.
Michael Eisen, NC Dept of MHDDSAS, gave more kudos to the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police for their involvement. He spoke about the "Tipping Point", where the community takes control from the vendors of the vice. For example, the impact that "Truth" had on cigarette sales. Take It Back is a national youth-directed movement to reduce alcohol problems. He mentioned environmental management strategies and the influence of the OJJDP. The Strategic Prevention Framework. The governors’ proposed budget includes increasing the alcohol tax to raise funds for substance abuse programs. The cost of underage drinking is estimated at $1.2 billion per year and increasing the tax could raise 80 million per year to support abuse programs. You can view information from the Institute of Medicine.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Community Coalition Meeting
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Spring lunch meeting on:
Thursday, May 22nd at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement. An agenda will be sent out just prior to the meeting.
A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Monday May 19th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.
Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.chccoalition.org
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
invites you attend our Spring lunch meeting on:
Thursday, May 22nd at 12:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity to report out to the community about the many exciting and promising Coalition initiatives, as well as to hear from you as to concerns, celebrations or needs. Please let me know if you or your agency would like to report out or make an announcement. An agenda will be sent out just prior to the meeting.
A "complimentary lunch" will be provided. Please kindly RSVP by Monday May 19th if you plan to attend this meeting so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.
Location: Squid's Restaurant, 1201 15-501 Hwy Bypass, Chapel Hill, 942-8757 This meeting open to the public. Please forward this invite to others who might like to attend.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
The Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill and Carrboro
www.chccoalition.org
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Reality Check
Several dates remain in a series of presentations designed to inform and educate area parents on adolescent drinking and drug use.
Presented by Matt Sullivan, crisis counselor with the Chapel Hill Police Department, his workshops are always well-received and informative.
We are ever grateful to both Matt and the police department for their continued commitment to helping keep our children safe from the harmful, sometimes deadly, consequences of substance use.
"REALITY CHECK"
Keeping parents informed on teen substance use.
Thursday - March 6 - Carrboro High School (Cafe Commons) 7pm - 8pm
Tuesday - March 11 - Smith Middle School (Auditorium) 7pm - 8pm
Presentations are identical, so participants should pick the date and location that is most convenient. Free and open-to-the-public. No registration required.
Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
http://www.chcCoalition.org
Presented by Matt Sullivan, crisis counselor with the Chapel Hill Police Department, his workshops are always well-received and informative.
We are ever grateful to both Matt and the police department for their continued commitment to helping keep our children safe from the harmful, sometimes deadly, consequences of substance use.
"REALITY CHECK"
Keeping parents informed on teen substance use.
Thursday - March 6 - Carrboro High School (Cafe Commons) 7pm - 8pm
Tuesday - March 11 - Smith Middle School (Auditorium) 7pm - 8pm
Presentations are identical, so participants should pick the date and location that is most convenient. Free and open-to-the-public. No registration required.
Dale Pratt-Wilson, Director
Coalition for Alcohol & Drug Free Teenagers
of Chapel Hill & Carrboro
http://www.chcCoalition.org
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Legal fallout for underage drinkers
Enforcement in University, town
By: Andrew Dunn, Daily Tar Heel, Features Editor
Media Credit: Daily Tar Heel / Allie Mullin
Consequences for underage drinking in the residence halls might be as light as a written warning. Being caught by the Chapel Hill Police Department or the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement means a trip to the courthouse, along with fines and the possibility of alcohol education classes.
For the interconnected web of law enforcement agencies that patrol campus, the fact that UNC students drink under age is a given.
The path such cases take through the legal system is a testament to how widespread the issue is.
The housing department, the Department of Public Safety, Chapel Hill police and Alcohol Law Enforcement all cite students for drinking violations on or near campus.
In most cases, the consequence will amount to a penalty ranging from only a verbal warning to a 15-hour alcohol education class.
Still, the repercussions for the busted drinker vary widely depending on who does the busting.
On-campus quaffing
For the hundreds of teenage drinkers who populate South Campus dorms, trouble begins with a knock on the door.
The resident advisers could be investigating a loud noise complaint, or they could have spied a liquor bottle though a cracked door.
Though students of legal age can drink in their rooms, alcohol is prohibited from common areas and in quantities suitable for more than one person, regardless of the owner.
The RA will immediately ask for the One Card of everyone in the room, and the alcohol will have to be poured out. If the drinkers follow those directions, the incident could end right there.
The dorm's community director also reserves the right to issue a written warning or mandate an alcohol class. If the violators are not cooperative, DPS officers will be called in.
Randy Young, DPS spokesman, said most of the problems with underage drinking stem from downtown excursions and house parties, not the residence halls.
"Underage drinking presents the biggest problem at large-scale events and out in public," Young said. "We're not going to go room to room in the dorms."
And UNC's Honor Court, though alerted to underage drinking, primarily deals with charges of disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated, Deputy Student Attorney General Andrew Pham said.
"We can't realistically look at every underage possession charge," Pham said. "The University has a concurrent process that takes care of that."
That process usually just requires the offender to take an alcohol education class through Campus Health Services, according to the Dean of Students' office policy.
Out on the town
Drinkers will find the town of Chapel Hill less forgiving if its officers are making the bust.
Citations from the Chapel Hill Police Department or N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement will land the drinker in the courthouse.
On one Tuesday each month, 20 to 40 UNC students and town residents file into the Chapel Hill courthouse, alcohol citations in hand.
But for most of the offenders, a quick visit with an assistant district attorney will be the furthest they venture into the legal system.
"Our first move is not toward a purely punitive action but an educational one," Orange County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Nieman said. "It doesn't mean we don't take it seriously."
For first-time offenders, the district attorney's office will offer what is known as deferred prosecution.
Nieman said most choose that path, which offers a lighter sentence and dismissal of charges that can later be expunged.
Offenders must pay about $200 in court costs and sign a statement that says they "freely admit guilt" and agree to complete several measures within three months:
"It's not the majority of cases, but it can happen," Nieman said. "The point is, no matter what the charge, the assumption is innocent until proven guilty."
Underage drinking laws (as of Dec. 1, 2006):
Assistant Features Editor Nate Hewitt contributed reporting.
Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
By: Andrew Dunn, Daily Tar Heel, Features Editor
Media Credit: Daily Tar Heel / Allie Mullin
Consequences for underage drinking in the residence halls might be as light as a written warning. Being caught by the Chapel Hill Police Department or the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement means a trip to the courthouse, along with fines and the possibility of alcohol education classes.
For the interconnected web of law enforcement agencies that patrol campus, the fact that UNC students drink under age is a given.
The path such cases take through the legal system is a testament to how widespread the issue is.
The housing department, the Department of Public Safety, Chapel Hill police and Alcohol Law Enforcement all cite students for drinking violations on or near campus.
In most cases, the consequence will amount to a penalty ranging from only a verbal warning to a 15-hour alcohol education class.
Still, the repercussions for the busted drinker vary widely depending on who does the busting.
On-campus quaffing
For the hundreds of teenage drinkers who populate South Campus dorms, trouble begins with a knock on the door.
The resident advisers could be investigating a loud noise complaint, or they could have spied a liquor bottle though a cracked door.
Though students of legal age can drink in their rooms, alcohol is prohibited from common areas and in quantities suitable for more than one person, regardless of the owner.
The RA will immediately ask for the One Card of everyone in the room, and the alcohol will have to be poured out. If the drinkers follow those directions, the incident could end right there.
The dorm's community director also reserves the right to issue a written warning or mandate an alcohol class. If the violators are not cooperative, DPS officers will be called in.
Randy Young, DPS spokesman, said most of the problems with underage drinking stem from downtown excursions and house parties, not the residence halls.
"Underage drinking presents the biggest problem at large-scale events and out in public," Young said. "We're not going to go room to room in the dorms."
And UNC's Honor Court, though alerted to underage drinking, primarily deals with charges of disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated, Deputy Student Attorney General Andrew Pham said.
"We can't realistically look at every underage possession charge," Pham said. "The University has a concurrent process that takes care of that."
That process usually just requires the offender to take an alcohol education class through Campus Health Services, according to the Dean of Students' office policy.
Out on the town
Drinkers will find the town of Chapel Hill less forgiving if its officers are making the bust.
Citations from the Chapel Hill Police Department or N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement will land the drinker in the courthouse.
On one Tuesday each month, 20 to 40 UNC students and town residents file into the Chapel Hill courthouse, alcohol citations in hand.
But for most of the offenders, a quick visit with an assistant district attorney will be the furthest they venture into the legal system.
"Our first move is not toward a purely punitive action but an educational one," Orange County Assistant District Attorney Jeff Nieman said. "It doesn't mean we don't take it seriously."
For first-time offenders, the district attorney's office will offer what is known as deferred prosecution.
Nieman said most choose that path, which offers a lighter sentence and dismissal of charges that can later be expunged.
Offenders must pay about $200 in court costs and sign a statement that says they "freely admit guilt" and agree to complete several measures within three months:
- Stay enrolled in school or employed full time.
- Don't commit another offense.
- Take a 15-hour alcohol education class that costs $150.
"It's not the majority of cases, but it can happen," Nieman said. "The point is, no matter what the charge, the assumption is innocent until proven guilty."
Underage drinking laws (as of Dec. 1, 2006):
- Underage drinkers risk a possession citation even if they weren't caught holding an alcoholic beverage.
- If a police officer suspects intoxication, he can require the person to take a blood alcohol content test, and if that person has alcohol in his system, he is legally "in possession."
- A person who refuses will automatically be charged with possession.
- If a possession citation is issued, the police officer - either a member of the Chapel Hill Police Department or UNC's Department of Public Safety - also will refer the student to UNC.
Assistant Features Editor Nate Hewitt contributed reporting.
Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
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