Mayor Judy Thein expressed great pleasure in presenting a proclamation Thursday, April 12, declaring April as Alcohol Recovery Month in the City of Clearlake. It is an issue near and dear to her heart, since her daughter was killed in a DUI tragedy. Thein enthusiastically commended the services of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) and the program”s representatives who were present to receive the proclamation.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to do this as it is very fitting that I do,” Thein began. “As most of you know, my daughter was killed in a very horrible DUI tragedy. Her death has inspired me to strongly advocate personally against drinking and driving in our county in order that other families will be spared the heartbreaking devastation that my family has endured all because of a drunk driver.”
Thein went on to commend the joint forces in Lake County who are striving to decrease alcohol-related statistics locally. “By all of us joining forces — entities, various agencies and individuals — we can combat the DUI malignancy that has spread throughout our county.” Thein continued, “We all need to do our part in keeping the people within our county safe.”
On hand to receive the proclamation was AODS representatives Laura Solis and Catherine Rose. “The work that AODS does in the rehabilitation of individuals is a real benefit to our community,” Thein said. “Through their counseling efforts, potential tragedies have been avoided. I am honored to be able to work beside AODS as we travel this journey together, educating others in the consequences of driving under the influence.”
The proclamation presented by Thein and the Clearlake City Council reads as follows:
WHEREAS, alcohol is a primary factor in the four leading causes of death among persons ages 10-24: motor-vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide; and 13 percent of all youth, ages 12-17, had at least one serious problem related to drinking in the past year; and
WHEREAS, in 2006 of the 797 clients enrolled in outpatient treatment services and Alcohol and Other Drug Services, 24 percent of the clients were under the age of 18. Of these, 38 percent reported beginning to drink before the age of 12, which is twice the rate for the state; and
WHEREAS, the typical American young person will see 100,000 beer commercials before he or she turns 18 (that is more than for sneakers, gum, and jeans combined); and approximately 9.6 million current drinkers in the United States are between the ages of 12-20; and alcohol is the most frequently used drug by high-school seniors; and
WHEREAS, young people that begin drinking, on average, at 13.1 years of age; and young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21; and
WHEREAS, teens have easy access to alcohol and parents are too often unwitting co-conspirators who see underage drinking and occasional binging as a rite of passage, rather than a deadly round of Russian roulette; one third of sixth and ninth graders obtain alcohol from their own homes;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Clearlake does hereby proclaim April 2007, as Alcohol Awareness Month in Clearlake. As Mayor of the City of Clearlake, I call upon all citizens, parents, governmental agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, hospitals, and schools in Clearlake to support efforts that will increase community awareness, understanding and action to address underage drinking in our community and ?Keep Our Future Growing.”
Dated this 12th day of April, 2007
Judith K. Thein, Mayor”
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
