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"Don't
Be Sorry" campaign debuts in Sangamon County
Pilot
program tracking underage alcohol purchases also set to debut
this summer
DATE:
May 1, 2006
CONTACT: Ted Penesis (tpenesis@revenue.state.il.us)
Don't Be Sorry, the Illinois
Liquor Control Commission's (ILCC) new underage drinking awareness
campaign, debuted at the Illinois State Fairgrounds this past
Friday, April 28 in front of over 300 high school students
from throughout Sangamon County. The Don't Be Sorry
kickoff was just one of the activities during Prevention Day
2006, where students performed skits and reenactments demonstrating
the effects and aftermath of underage drinking.
The Don't Be Sorry campaign features materials
aimed at reducing underage alcohol consumption. "Sangamon
County teens, parents, and liquor retailers receive tailored
messages detailing the consequences of underage drinking,"
says Ted Penesis, ILCC Industry Education Manager. "For
example, one message we created for teens focuses on the loss
of freedom they will experience if caught drinking and driving."
The State of Illinois will also unveil a new initiative in
Sangamon County this summer aimed at reducing the sale of
alcohol to minors thanks to a $100,000.00 grant from the Illinois
Department of Transportation. Entitled TrAIL (Tracking
Alcohol in IL), this new enforcement program will hold
accountable those who provide alcohol to teens.
TrAIL investigators will consist of ILCC special
agents, Secretary of State Police officers, Illinois State
Police troopers, and DNR Conservation Police officers. "These
state investigators will follow the trail of alcohol when
underage alcohol consumption is suspected in an incident that
results in a hospital emergency room visit," Penesis
says. "When this scenario occurs, investigators will
be called to duty via a 24-hour hotline number."
Sangamon County will serve as a pilot for both of these new
programs. It is expected that TrAIL will expand into
new counties in the upcoming months, with Don't Be Sorry
unveiled statewide this fall. For more information, please
click view the campaign's website www.DontBeSorry.org.
Other
Industry Education Links:
News Releases
ILCC Newsletters
Illinois
Liquor Control Act
Browse and/or download
Illinois Liquor Control Commission
Rules and Regulations
Browse and/or download
Tobacco Program
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