Othello takes charge to stop underage drinking
Courtesy photoReducing Underage Drinking (RUaD) Coordinator Bob Richey and Petra Delgado assist Othello High School students with signing pledges promising not to consume alcohol.
Police department implements programs
OTHELLO - A program to prevent underage alcohol consumption in Othello remains strong.
The Othello Police Department is partnered with the program, Reducing Underage Drinking, (RUaD). The partnership allows for the police to implement a public awareness program concerning underage drinking and other enforcement programs. The program is funded through various grants.
The Othello Community Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking received a $500 federal grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to further the program.
The grant will fund a town hall meeting March 31 to discuss underage drinking and how it affects Othello youth.
RUaD Coordinator Bob Richey said the town hall meeting focuses on providing understanding of the consequences related to underage drinking. He said the meeting should encourage individuals, families and communities to address the issue.
"The town hall meeting will provide our community with the opportunity to come together to learn more about the new research on underage drinking and its impact on both individuals and the community and to prevent underage alcohol use," Richey said. "These town hall meetings are designed to alert and empower the community."
The motivation for the police department to make an attempt to curb underage drinking came to surface when an officer stopped a vehicle driven by a 14-year-old who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol last year.
Through the RUaD program the Othello Police Department has been able to pay officers overtime wages to implement anti-underage drinking programs.
The department has conducted various "shoulder tap" and alcohol compliance checks with Othello businesses.
During a "shoulder tap" a volunteer with the police department who is under the age of 21 will stand outside area businesses trying to get an adult to purchase alcohol for them. The program has resulted in citations for the adults who comply and serves as a word of mouth mechanism telling others not to purchase alcohol for minors.
Police have conducted similar programs by sending a minor into area businesses to purchase alcohol. Most businesses complied with the law and did not sell alcohol to minors. Some business sold the alcohol to the minor and received citations for their actions and were referred to the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
The police department has conducted various meetings aimed at the underage drinking issue to discuss why it is a problem and how it can be prevented.
People interested in helping with the future town hall meeting can contact Richey at 509-488-3314.