As the author of our nation’s first comprehensive national law to curb underage drinking, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard commended Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu today on the launch of the first “Call to Action” against underage drinking.

“The Surgeon General’s Call to Action places a heightened national focus on the public health crisis of underage drinking in our country,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said.  “I commend this initiative as a way to bring more attention and explore promising solutions to the problem.  I’m especially pleased that the broad-based effort complements the objectives and major elements in The STOP Underage Drinking Act which was signed into law last year.”

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action identifies six goals for addressing the crisis of underage drinking, including coordinating a national effort that involves parents, the community and all levels of government to reduce underage drinking, carrying out a media campaign directed at parents and conducting additional research on adolescent alcohol use and its affects on human development.  Those initiatives are also central provisions of the STOP Act.

Signed by the President on December 20, “The STOP (Sober Truth on Preventing) Underage Drinking Act”  makes permanent an Ad Council national media campaign directed at parents that started in 2005, coordinates all federal programs and research initiatives on underage drinking, and provides grants to institutions of higher education, states and non-profit organizations to combat underage drinking in communities.  The STOP Act also supports crucial research on the health effects of underage drinking and requires the federal government to produce an annual status report on underage drinking in our country.

 “Prior to being elected to public office, I worked for a nonprofit agency that focused on alcohol abuse. I witnessed firsthand the many devastating consequences of irresponsible drinking. That experience made me realize that, as a nation, we must no longer be complacent about underage drinking and its alarming consequences.  I am so pleased that the Surgeon General is now working to bring even more attention to underage drinking and its harmful consequences.  His initiative and his commitment are truly to be commended,” Congresswoman Roybal-Allard said.  

For the congresswoman’s efforts to combat underage drinking, the congresswoman received the following honors: MADD's 2004 Congressional Excellence Award; Students Against Destructive Decisions’ (SADD) 2005 National Outstanding Contribution Award; and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's 2005 Congressional Leadership Award.
 

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