Opening Statement of Chairman Michael N. Castle

Good Morning. I would like to welcome our guests, witnesses, and members to today’s Education Reform Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Preventing Underage Drinking: What Works.”

I am looking forward to hearing the witness’ testimony pertaining to the efforts these organizations are making to help reduce and prevent underage drinking in this country. Today’s hearing will focus on awareness and prevention programs that are geared toward students in elementary, middle, and high school that successfully prevent and discourage youth from drinking alcohol before they are of legal age.

Significant gains have been made in reducing underage drinking since the 1970’s and 1980’s. I applaud the various local, state, and federal governmental organizations, the public health community groups, and the members of industry that have contributed to this reduction. I know that in my home state of Delaware there are numerous efforts, at all levels of government. However, this issue remains a real problem with very real and devastating consequences. Despite the progress that has been made, the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, found that 10.7 million young people, ages 12 to 20, reported drinking alcohol within a 30-day period. About 3 in 10 high school seniors reported binge drinking – binge drinkers defined as those having five or more drinks on the same occasion at least once in the past 30 days. The study also reported that 95 percent of 12th graders perceive alcohol as readily available to them.

It is my hope that we can better learn what constitutes an effective awareness and prevention program so that these best practices can be shared with schools and communities throughout the country. Programs based on research and whose effectiveness has been evaluated are invaluable.

I would like to thank my colleague from Nebraska, Mr. Osborne for his interest in this issue and for his dedication to reducing and preventing underage drinking. It was his interest and tenacity that was the impetus for this hearing.

With that, I yield to my colleague from California, Mrs. Woolsey for whatever opening statement she may have.