Dear Parent,

As a community we are affected in many different ways from the negative consequences associated with underage drinking. We often see the senseless tragedies and crimes that occur as a result of underage drinking. Whether it is illegally providing alcohol to minors, stealing alcohol from convenience stores, date rape or vehicle crashes, underage drinking in Midland is a significant problem that affects us all. And we all have a responsibility to do what we can to eliminate underage drinking in our community.

That is why members and supporters of the Midland Coalition who actively serve this community are working together to combat underage drinking. We provide education to the community about the harmful effects that underage drinking has on the developing brain of our youth. We support enforcement efforts in our community that work to target those who provide alcohol to minors illegally, cite minors for possessing and/or consuming alcohol, and swiftly punish those who choose to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol. Most important though is our efforts to change the way Midlander’s think about underage drinking.

Enclosed in this packet you will find some of the latest information available on underage drinking and how it effects your child’s growing brain; tips from young people on the best way to talk to your kids about underage drinking; information on the laws about illegally providing alcohol to minors and information on where to get additional help should you need it.

Education or consequences alone will not eliminate this problem but we hope it will serve as both a motivator and a deterrent to some who may otherwise travel down this path of destruction. I ask for your assistance in doing your part as a parent to stop underage drinking and support efforts in the community to eliminate opportunities for underage drinking. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance to you in any way or if you would like to join our efforts to reduce underage drinking in Midland.

Sincerely,

    Brent Blackburn                       

    Midland Coalition Director