SAVE THE DATE: Wed., July 28 (7-8:30 p.m.)

The Fairfax County Police Department, Countywide Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking, and Northern Virginia Community College Present “The Perils of the College Drinking Culture”

Don’t miss the second screening and panel discussion on the award-winning documentary, "HAZE," which looks at the crisis of binge drinking and hazing on college campuses. The powerful documentary is a must-see for all parents and their college-bound teens, as well as others concerned about underage drinking.

This second showing is in response to our highly successful May 26 event, attended by nearly 250 parents and students who urged that we host another screening before students head to college. Parents and students are encouraged to attend together.

“This program should be extended across Virginia, in every community.”
"HAZE should be required viewing for all high school students.”
“Thank you for this opportunity to address this issue WITH my 17-year-old son.”

Location: Northern Virginia Community College
Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center Forum
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003

Parking in Visitor's Section of Parking Garage only. Coupons for free parking to be distributed at the event.
For more information: Lucy Caldwell, Fairfax County Police Department, 703-246-3271

Emergency Room Visits for Underage Alcohol Use Nearly Double during the Fourth of July Weekend

Hospital emergency department visits involving underage drinking nearly double during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to a new study by SAMHSA. The study reveals that daily underage drinking-related visits to hospital emergency departments are 87 percent higher during the Fourth of July weekend than they are on an average day in July. The report estimates that on an average day in July, there are 502 hospital emergency department visits involving underage alcohol use. For the 3-day Fourth of July weekend, however, the number of daily hospital emergency department visits jumps to 938. Click here to find out more ...

NEWS RELEASE - March 26, 2010

Project Sticker Shock: Taking a Stand Against Underage Drinking

Students from Madison High School and Marshall High School spent part of their Saturday morning March 20 warning adults that it is illegal to purchase and provide alcohol to anyone under 21. The youth, accompanied by adults and police officers, visited local stores (shown here at Magruder’s of Vienna) to place stop sign warning stickers on beer cases, wine coolers and other packaged alcohol products that might appeal to young drinkers. The Vienna-Madison Community Coalition coordinated the local Project Sticker Shock, an educational program of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Other sponsors included Madison’s Student Government Association and SADD Club, Marshall’s Octagon Club, Town of Vienna and Fairfax County police departments, Town of Vienna-Parks and Recreation, the Fairfax County Public Schools Student Safety and Wellness Office, and the Fairfax Countywide Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking.

For more information, contact:

Vienna Madison Community Coalition (VMCC)
Email: board@viennacommunitycoalition.com
Website: www.viennacommunitycoalition.com
Unified Prevention Coalition Website: www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org

Announcements ...

FCPS Survey Results are in!

Click here ... to review the FCPS Survey Results specific to respondents from Madison High School.

Who We Are & Our Mission ...

VMCC was launched in 1995 as a community coalition under the Safe and Drug Free Youth Section of Fairfax County Public Schools. Community members such as the police, health, faith leaders, youth, businesses, the media, principals from the pyramids' schools, teachers, parents and other community leaders are invited to work with the VMCC. Our mission is to develop and implement a community-wide partnership that promotes a drug, alcohol, and violence-free environment for all our children and youth within the school boundaries of the Greater-Vienna School community.

What We Do ...

The Coalition has a number of goals that it has targeted for the coming year to raise parental and student awareness on such issues as -

	Cyber bullying
	Depression and Suicide
	Drugs
	Gangs
	Inhalants
	Internet safety
	Peer Pressure
	Underage Drinking
	Teen Health and Sexuality

The VMCC provides information and resources to parents and students through forums, presentations by experts, and working with students, sharing brochures and materials, and hosting a website with important links to other, credible websites that can inform and help.

Where and When We Meet ...

The VMCC Board meets the first Thursday of each month from 7-8:30pm at the Vienna Community Center in the Senior Lounge. The agenda includes a short review of VMCC business and then breaks out into working subcommittees.

The VMCC Board monthly meeting dates for the 2010-2011 school year will be posted shortly.

What's News ...

Parents and Teens, Know the Law ...Virginia is a "Zero Tolerance" state, first offenses are chargeable.

It is a class 1 misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to buy, consume, or possess any alcoholic beverage. Penalties, upon conviction, include: a minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service, loss of driver's license for 6-12 months, up to 12 months in jail, and possible expulsion from school. The additional penalty for driving after illegally consuming alcohol is mandatory loss of a driver's license for one year or a delay in obtaining a first driver's license. For use of a fake ID to purchase an alcoholic beverage, the additional penalty is loss of a driver's license for up to one year. For more information, click on this image to visit out website.