FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2005
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MEDIA ALERT 

Senate and House Panels to Hold August 9th Pittsburgh Hearing On Underage Drinking 

Members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and House Liquor Control Committee will hold a joint meeting in Pittsburgh on August 9th to seek input on how to address the growing problem of underage drinking, according to Senator John Rafferty (R-44), chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee.  The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 9th, in the William Pitt Union Ballroom at the University of Pittsburgh.  The ballroom is located at 3959 Fifth Avenue.  Senator John Pippy (R-Pittsburgh) will also take part in the hearing. 

Rafferty said the joint Senate/House hearing is the fourth in a series of statewide meetings on how to prevent underage drinking.  Among those scheduled to testify are Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht, law enforcement officials, a representative of the University of Pittsburgh, medical personnel, and anti-drinking advocates. 

"Our goal is to seek input on the problem, find potential solutions and discover ways the Legislature can help to meet funding needs and develop legislation to combat this growing problem," Rafferty said.  "Alcohol is the most frequently abused drug by high school seniors, and its use is increasing. The American Public Health Association estimates that two-thirds of high school seniors consume alcohol, with one-third of those being binge drinkers." 

Rafferty said the Senate Law and Justice Committee and House Liquor Control Committee has already held three hearings in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.  He said the panels are seeking public input on the problem and proposed solutions from educators, representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking, law enforcement officials and parents. 

CONTACT: MARK MEYER – (717) 787-1398