WELCOME
The Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking (CCSUD), an initiative of
The Governor's Prevention Partnership, was formed in 1996 to combat underage drinking. The
CCSUD reached two major milestones: a record of significant progress in reducing
the factors associated with underage drinking in Connecticut; and the successful
conclusion of an eight-year partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
and the American Medical Association.
Although underage drinking remains a persistent problem for young people, great
strides have been made in Connecticut in the fight to prevent and reduce underage
drinking:
The rate of "alcohol use in the last 30 days" has fallen from 65% of teens in
1989 to 46% of teens in 2000.*
The percentage of youth drinkers who say they buy alcohol from retail outlets
has fallen from 81% in 1995 to 36% in 2000.*
Close to 100 communities have formed local coalitions, 85% of which are still
actively working on the issue.
Forty-nine of the state's 169 towns have adopted local ordinances to address
various aspects of underage drinking in their communities. The CT General Assembly
also is actively debating new law to curtail underage drinking at private parties.
New state laws have been passed requiring keg registration, creating "Zero Tolerance"
of youth drinking and driving, and banning drive-up alcohol sales.
Aggressive media outreach to raise awareness of underage drinking now results
in an average of one media placement per week.
