AMA honors BRC for combating binge drinking

Donald Ziegler (right), deputy director of AMA’s Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, presents a plaque in recognition of BRC’s pioneering work to (from left) BRC co-chairperson Ronald Gardner, former Newark mayor; Tracy Downs, BRC project director; and BRC co-chairperson John Bishop, associate vice president for counseling and student development at UD.

2 p.m., April 18, 2005--The Building Responsibility Coalition (BRC)--a campus/community partnership advocating policies for the responsible and legal use of alcohol and promotion of a healthy environment for students, residents and businesses--has won special recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) for its efforts.

Donald Zeigler, deputy director of AMA’s Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, presented BRC leaders with a plaque Wednesday evening, April 13, citing the partnership’s “pioneering work to reduce high-risk drinking” in Newark.

The presentation was made at a dinner celebrating BRC’s groundbreaking work since it was established in 1996. That year, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded UD a $700,000 grant to help lead “A Matter of Degree: The National Effort to Reduce High-Risk Drinking Among College Students.” The five-year grant, which was extended in 2001 for four more years, continues through August.

“It’s remarkable that you’ve done all you’ve done,” Zeigler said. “Your coalition gets it, and you’re working hard to change attitudes about drinking.”

Zeigler urged BRC partners to continue their collaboration and to press for the adoption in Delaware of several “best practices” to further discourage binge drinking, including:

Reducing hours and days when alcohol can be sold;
Restricting the number of alcohol sales outlets;
Strictly limiting “happy hour” reduced drink pricing;
Increasing alcohol taxes;
Strengthening efforts to combat drunk driving; and
Holding bars and bartenders responsible for continuing to serve intoxicated customers.

“Doing the right thing isn’t easy. Do it anyway,” Zeigler said. “Your work is incredibly important. Keep up the good fight.”

“We're going to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” UD President David Roselle said. “We value this coalition. We really do appreciate the work that’s been done, and I think it’s fair to say that we have pursued every idea that has been suggested during the life of this program, and we will continue to do that.”

Newark Mayor Vance Funk said he has noticed a friendlier, more positive atmosphere in the city since the BRC began its work.

“The future of this program from the city’s viewpoint is going to come from the Town & Gown Committee,” Funk said. “This committee meets on a regular basis to talk about any problems that arise, and we’ve organized two Town Conversations to encourage dialog and build a stronger community.”

Funk also said that it is hoped that Newark City Council will approve his recommendation to add BRC co-chairperson John Bishop, UD associate vice president for counseling and student development, to the committee’s membership.

After Funk’s remarks, BRC co-chairpersons Bishop and Ronald Gardner, former Newark mayor, and Tracy Downs, BRC project director, presented certificates of appreciation to coalition members.

Photos by Duane Perry

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