In its first Call to Action against underage drinking, the U.S. Surgeon General's Office appealed today to Americans to do more to stop America's 11 million current underage drinkers from using alcohol, and to keep other young people from starting.

Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., laid out recommendations for government and school officials, parents, other adults and the young people.

"Too many Americans consider underage drinking a rite of passage to adulthood," said Dr. Moritsugu. "Research shows that young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life. New research also indicates that alcohol may harm the developing adolescent brain. The availability of this research provides more reasons than ever before for parents and other adults to protect the health and safety of our nation's children."

Some 350 Gannon University students are expected to attend the university’s annual alcohol-free St. Patrick’s Day event.

The event, Get Rec’d, will be held from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Gannon’s Carneval Athletic Pavilion (formerly named the Student Recreation Center), located at Peach and West Fourth streets.

Get Rec’d provides for students a healthy, alcohol-free social opportunity on a holiday typically known for drinking. It is sponsored by the College of Humanities, Business, and Education and several university student organizations, including KnightLife, PATCHES, Student Government Association (SGA), and Activities Programming Board (APB).

With the approach of St. Patrick’s Day – a day of revelry but sometimes a bit too much green brew – Mercyhurst College is preparing to give its students some practical, but very entertaining alternatives to alcohol-intensive partying.

During Alcohol Awarenes Week, March 12-17, the Mercyhurst College Division of Student Life, Mercyhurst Student Government, and the Student Activities Council will host a variety of activities aimed at encouraging students to make safe and responsible choices regarding alcohol consumption.

“We care about the choices our students are making. We want to give them a real alternative that will be fun,” said Sarah Allen, assistant director of the student union and student activities.

When coalition members outlined their goals for 2007 fiscal year, one of them was to help train at least 120 servers from local alcohol-licensed establishments in the PA LCB’s Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) server/seller training.

The training, conducted by local trainer Robert Rapheal, helps teach servers how to ensure responsible alcohol service and prevent underage and high-risk alcohol use. As of January, the coalition has subsidized the cost for 51 servers. Establishment’s who have had their cost fully absorbed by the coalition include Sherlock’s, the Zone, Scully’s Pub, Wagner’s Tavern, Pete’s Pub, Greengarden Beer Distributors, One Way Inn, and Andy’s Pub.

Representatives from four local establishments attended the first C-COMPASS speaker in November. Management from the Shaggy Dog, the One Way Inn, Sherlock’s, and the Gaslight enjoyed breakfast with coalition members on the campus of Mercyhurst College. The topic for the day: Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement’s Compliance Check Program.

The PA LCE began implementing compliance checks in the commonwealth in early 2005 as dictated under the authority of Act 141. Underage Buyers, interns from the various colleges/ universities throughout Pennsylvania, work in conjunction with Liquor Enforcement Officers to enter liquor-licensed establishments and attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. If the establishment serves the Underage Buyer, a Liquor Enforcement Officer immediately notifies them about the Age Compliance Check and administrative action is taken.

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, announced today that it is the recipient of an $11,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to support the college’s mission of preventing underage and high-risk alcohol use. The PLCB has awarded more than $664,000 in grant funding to 62 organizations throughout the Commonwealth for 2006-07—a 34 percent increase versus last year.

“Penn State Behrend has established three primary goals for this grant,” said Amanda Knerr, associate director of student affairs. “We plan to increase the visibility and awareness about alcohol expectations and enforcement on-campus; use the social norms campaign model to educate students; and provide Penn State Behrend’s support services with the tools necessary to create a culture of discussion surrounding alcohol choices and behaviors, campus culture and student wellness.”

C-COMPASS, Campus & Community Partners Advocating for Safe Students, a coalition formed by Erie colleges and universities was awarded $11,500 in grant funds today by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to support its mission of preventing underage and high risk alcohol use.

The PLCB selected C-COMPASS and 62 organizations throughout the commonwealth to receive a share of over $664,000 in funding for comprehensive community-based initiatives. The grant to C-COMPASS will be dedicated specifically for building relationships with local establishments in their communitment to reduce underage and high-risk alcohol use in the Erie community.