FORD MAPS CURBS ON UNDERAGE DRINKING, DRUG USE

Mayor Jack Ford has laid out a plan to tackle underage consumption of
alcohol, including at college football tailgate parties.

Mr. Ford is scheduled to speak at a forum on underage drinking today at the
National Press Club in Washington.

In a news conference earlier this week, the mayor said drinking and drug
use by teenagers is an increasing problem, and said a survey demonstrating
the seriousness of the problem would be released at the forum by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation, which also is participating in the forum.

Mr. Ford, a founder and former director of Substance Abuse Services, Inc.,
announced a series of efforts to curb underage drinking.

They include tougher enforcement by city police, training of alcohol
servers, and more school-based programs to warn children of the dangers of
drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse.

He also said he will urge institutions of higher learning to "adopt and
enforce a zero-tolerance policy" for underage consumption on campus, at
tailgate parties, and at outdoor events.

Mr. Ford said that as a former instructor at the University of Toledo he
sometimes saw students at college events on the weekends who he knew had
been drinking.

"We're trying to get across let's get real serious as a community on
underage drinking, be it town or gown, wherever the site is. Let's hold
parents accountable, let's support parents, let's not allow there to be any
venue where somehow we are winking at the drinking," Mr. Ford said.

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, UT's vice president for student affairs, agreed that
underage drinking is a challenge for colleges and universities. He said
that unless alcohol consumption is banned at tailgate parties in the school
parking lot, the problem is identifying who is underage and who is old
enough to drink.

"When you go to a zero-tolerance policy, the issue becomes how do you
identify [underage drinkers] and not be so intrusive as to violate people's
ability to have a good time," Dr. Bledsoe said.

The mayor said he would:

Push for more stringent restrictions at open-air events.

Seek to require training of all employees of establishments that serve alcohol.

Ask all public, parochial, and charter schools to implement regular
alcohol, tobacco, and drug education for all youth.

Urge retailers and manufacturers to curb alcohol advertising that is
targeted at youth.

In addition, the mayor vowed to try to expand city recreational
opportunities for youth as an alternative to alcohol and drug use.