News Release
October 2, 2007
News Release Contact:
Becky Gettings - (804) 201-7836
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Hosts 22nd Annual College Conference in Roanoke
College Students Discuss Underage and High-Risk Drinking at 22nd Annual College Conference
Roanoke - College students from around the state will gather in Roanoke this weekend to discuss public safety concerns surrounding underage and high-risk drinking on college and university campuses. To kick off the 22nd Annual College Conference, Commissioner Esther H. Vassar will deliver opening remarks at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. "As students, educators and community leaders, we do indeed have the ability to inspire change," says ABC Commissioner Esther Vassar. "Alcohol abuse and its resulting damage is too large a problem for any of us to tackle alone. It becomes increasingly important that we pool our efforts for greater success in the name of public safety."
A primary area of focus for the conference will address the need for educating students about the health, safety and legal risks associated with underage and high risk consumption of alcohol. In recent years, Virginia has typically seen a decline in the number of people killed in DUI-related crashes in Virginia - with a 14-percent decline between 2003 and 2005. The 22nd Annual College Conference will feature speakers from the local community such as the Blacksburg Police Department and Roanoke College as well as other law enforcement agencies and community organizations. Funding for the Annual College Conference was made possible through a transportation safety grant from the Virginia Department of Vehicles (grants allow state agencies to support programs that address a wide range of transportation safety needs that make our communities safer). Funds support the Annual College Conference to deter aggressive and impaired driving, and promote awareness of risks college students across the Commonwealth.
Participants: |
Colleges and Universities: Blue Ridge Community College, George Mason University, Hampden-Sydney College, Hollins University, James Madison University, Mary Baldwin College, New River Community College, Radford University Randolph College, Richard Bland College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Southwest Virginia Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, University of Mary Washington, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Virginia Union, Virginia Western Community College and Washington & Lee University Community and State Organizations: Virginia Department of Health, Department of Motor Vehicles, John D. Eiland, Piedmont Community Service Board, Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving (RADD), Virginia College Parents and Virginia Operation Lifesaver. Law Enforcement: ABC Special Agents, Blacksburg Police Department, George Mason University Police Department and Henrico County Police Department. |
Date/Time: |
October 4 - 6 2007 |