LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim April 2010 as Underage Drinking Prevention Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official
months established to increase awareness of serious issues that affect
the lives of all New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim April 2010 as Underage
Drinking Prevention Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The observation of Underage Drinking Prevention Month is a
way to encourage communities across the State of New York to work
together to prevent underage drinking in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Underage drinking is illegal, dangerous and may even pose
life threatening consequences; Underage Drinking Prevention Month is an
important time of year for communities to work together to prevent self-
destructive behaviors among youth through improved communication between
parents and children, school and community based activities, media
outreach, and enforcement of laws designed to prevent underage drinking;
and
WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of
21 die as a result of underage drinking; this includes about 1,900
deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 as a result of homicides, 300
from suicide, as well as hundreds from other injuries such as falls,
burns, and drowning; and
WHEREAS, Drinking continues to be widespread among adolescents, as
shown by nationwide surveys as well as studies in smaller populations;
according to an annual survey of youth in the United States, three-
fourths of 12th graders, more than two-thirds of 10th graders, and about
two in every five 8th graders have consumed alcohol; and
WHEREAS, When youth drink they tend to drink intensively, often
consuming four to five drinks at one time; the National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Underage Drinking Research Initiative
(NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that
brings blood alcohol concentration [BAC] to 0.08 grams percent or above;
and
WHEREAS, For the typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming
five or more drinks for men, or four or more drinks for women, in about
a two hour time frame; and
WHEREAS, Data from NIAAA' s 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on
Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a survey of 43,000 U.S. adults,
showed that early alcohol use, independent of other risk factors, may
contribute to the risk of developing future alcohol problems; and
WHEREAS, Those who began drinking in their early teens were at greater
risk of developing alcohol dependence at some point in their lives, and
they were also at greater risk of developing dependence more quickly and
at younger ages; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body and this great
Empire State to reaffirm its worthy commitment to addressing this prob-
lem and to encourage increased awareness and renewed efforts to elimi-
nate underage drinking in our society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim April 2010 as Under-
age Drinking Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York