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CADA Chairman, Anthony Santucci, today gave the following remarks to Hamilton Rotarians on the topics of Educating the Community about Sobriety Checkpoints, what they look like and what they are designed to do.

AND.

Encouraging Open Dialogue between Adults and Young People about not drinking alcohol until at least age 18 and about responsible drinking after age 18 ---

"Good afternoon President Simons, Rotary members, ladies and gentlemen. It is always a pleasure to speak at Hamilton Rotary lunches each April. As you know, April is Alcohol Awareness Month. At CADA, encouraging responsible alcohol behavior, we host a number of activities each year to increase the public’s awareness of what responsible alcohol consumption looks like.

This year, we have two goals for the month. They are to educate the community about sobriety checkpoints, what they look like and what they are designed to do. Our second objective is to encourage open dialogue between adults and young people and children about not drinking alcohol until at least the age of 18 years and about responsible drinking after age 18 years.

The Department for National Drug Control recently issued the results of a study they conducted amongst students in P5, P6 and M1. Students in 34 public, private and home schools participated. The report indicates that the number of children who use alcohol and drugs tends to increase as they get older. For instance 33% of 12 year olds reported using alcohol compared to 17% of 10 year olds. he DNDC report highlights what we at CADA believe every parent, grandparent and guardian should know about young people and the use of alcohol and drugs. The following statements are taken directly from the report.

Youths who drink are also more likely to be victims of violent crime and sexual assault. They are more likely to have serious problems in school, be involved in drinking-related traffic crashes, and develop problems with alcohol later in life.

To this end, CADA has developed a number of techniques to help parents as they work with their children and young people to ensure they understand the importance of not trying alcohol before the age of 18 years. The role of speaking with children within our sphere of influence about alcohol falls on the shoulders of all responsible adults. It is often a difficult topic to broach and we recommend that several talks take place, not just one big talk. Expect these types of tough questions and more. However don’t shy away from the discussion because you may have to answer these types of questions. This is even more reason to hold the conversation and to encourage an open and honest dialogue about a serious issue that if not prevented could have lasting health implications on the child.

Sobriety checkpoints are temporary installations set up by the local police department, usually late at night or during the early hours of the morning, when the majority of road traffic fatalities are recorded. CADA will be holding Community Information Sessions on Thursday 4th April at 5:30pm and again on Thursday 18th April, also at 5:30pm. These sessions will be held at the Hamilton Police Station and all are welcome. To view the entire Calendar of Events for Alcohol Awareness Month 2013, click here

During a Non-Selective Sobriety Checkpoint, the police decide ahead of time that every nth vehicle will be stopped. In other words, the police decide ahead of time that they will stop every 10th vehicle, or every 20th vehicle, this is called Non-Selective Testing, it is non-selective because there is no room for profiling in any way, once this decision has been made, the checkpoint begins. The driver of every nth vehicle is stopped is roadside breath tested. For more information on Non-Selective Sobriety Checkpoints click here
To view CADA's Position Paper on Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints click here

The purpose of having these Checkpoints is not to catch people. The goal is to use public awareness messages to inform the public that these Checkpoints will be taking place, therefore members of the public know that if they choose to drink and drive the likelihood of them getting caught is high, thus they decide to take a cab or have a designated driver instead.

CADA Chairman, Anthony Santucci, recently spoke out to discuss the need for sobriety checkpoints in Bermuda. Mr. Santucci stated,

"According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development – OECD, Bermuda has one of the highest rates of road fatalities – 20 per 100,000. The OECD average is 9.6 per 100,000. From the year 2000 to 2012 135 people died on Bermuda's roads. To view the list of people who have died on our roads click here.

Sobriety checkpoints change behaviors and thus help save lives. Legislation is needed to provide for sobriety checkpoints in Bermuda.

Sobriety checkpoints are temporary or mobile installations set up by the local police department, usually late at night or during the early hours of the morning – when the majority of road traffic fatalities are recorded.

The police decide ahead of time that every nth vehicle will be stopped. In other words, the police decide ahead of time that they will stop every 10th vehicle, or every 20th vehicle, this is called Non-Selective Testing, it is Non-Selective because there is no room for profiling in any way, once this decision has been made, the checkpoint begins.

The driver of every nth vehicle is stopped and roadside breath tested.

If the roadside test is good, i.e. not above the legal limit of alcohol, the person is quickly moved on. We like to say, “You’re stopped, you blow, if you’re good, you go.”

If however the roadside breath test shows at or above a certain level of alcohol, the person is transported to the Police Station or to the Police Command Vehicle for the fully calibrated alcohol breathalyzer machine test

To view CADA's Position Paper on Roadside Sobriety Checkpoints click here

The 2012 Survey of Students Knowledge and Attitudes of Drugs and Health released by the DNDC, where 2,060 9 to 11 year olds were surveyed showed the following:

Average age for first trying alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 8 years old

% of 9 year olds who had tried alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 17.4%

% of 10 year olds who had tried alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 25.3%

% of 11 year olds who had tried alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 33%

Additionally, the 2011 Bermuda Youth Survey, released by the DNDC, where 3,200 10 to 18 year olds were surveyed showed the following:

Average age for first trying alcohol 12 years old

% of 13 year olds who had tried alcohol 24.5%

% of 14 year olds who had tried alcohol 41%

% of 15 year olds who had tried alcohol 52.5%

These statistics are very troubling because it is proven that the younger a person is when they begin consuming alcohol, the more likely they are to become addicted to alcohol.

To see how to talk with your children about alcohol click here

And what else can you do as an adult to prevent underage drinking?

Do not give, buy or serve alcohol to young people.
Giving alcohol to someone who is under the age of 18 or turning a blind eye when a young person is consuming alcohol is dangerous and irresponsible. Step in and put a stop to it. It is proven that those who begin consuming alcohol before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to become addicted to alcohol than those who wait unitl age 21, each additional year of delayed drinking onset reduces the probability of developing alcoholism by 14%.

Some adults use alcohol as a "special occasion celebration," perhaps allowing their child to have a sip of beer or champagne or wine. We must advise strongly against this.

Model responsible alcohol behavior infront of young people
Simply stated, children copy adults behavior, therefore model restraint and set a good example. If you choose to drink, you can positively influence young people by drinking in moderation and never driving if you have been drinking. If you or your partner struggle with alcohol use, seek proffessional help, call 295 5982.

To see how to talk with teenagers about alcohol, click here

Don't keep alcohol in your house, or keep it well out of reach.
If you must keep alcohol in your house, keep it in a place that is high up and out of easy reach to your child, or even better lock your alcohol up.

Proclamation
APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
1st April, 2013

WHEREAS:
The objectives for Alcohol Awareness Month, 2013 are to raise public awareness about sobriety checkpoints, how they operate and the results they can achieve, and, to increase public awareness on the importance of keeping alcohol out of the hands of children and teens.

WHEREAS:
The Minister of Transport, The Honorable Shawn Crockwell JP MP, has expressed this Government’s commitment to ensuring that roadside breath tests for drink drivers become admissible evidence in court.

WHEREAS:
There are currently no police powers at law, for demanding and taking breath samples on the road.

WHEREAS:
CADA supports the enactment of amendments to the Road Traffic Act 1947 to enhance police powers to demand and take breath samples from motorists.

WHEREAS:
CADA is advocating for a joint, well-publicized, nationally branded sobriety checkpoint enforcement campaign that will create awareness amongst motorists that if they drink and then drive their apprehension is inevitable.

WHEREAS:
Parents and adults must take personal responsibility for making alcohol less accessible to our young people.

WHEREAS:
The younger a person is when they begin consuming alcohol, the more likely they are to develop an addiction to alcohol, those who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol addiction than those who wait until age 21.

WHEREAS:
The Survey of Students on Knowledge and Attitudes of Drugs and Health 2012 completed by the Department of National Drug Control provided data to suggest that young people in Bermuda may be experimenting with alcohol and drugs at an earlier age than previously suspected, in some cases as low as 9 years old

WHEREAS:
Parents and adults must put in place practical measures to keep
alcohol out of the hands of young people, by taking alcohol out of the fridge and cupboards and locking it away making it less accessible to our young people.

WHEREAS:
We encourage open dialogue between parents and adults with young people about not drinking alcohol until at least age 18 and about responsible drinking after age 18.

NOW:
Therefore, I, The Hon. Michael H. Dunkley JP MP, Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety, do hereby proclaim that the month of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and thirteen is to be observed throughout these Islands as

ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

Given under my hand this 1st day of April 2013

Deputy Premier & Minister of Public Safety
For the Islands of Bermuda
The Hon. Michael H. Dunkley JP MP

CADA Chairman, Anthony Santucci's remarks, "Good morning Minister for Public Safety, the Hon. Michael Dunkley, JP, MP; Shadow Minister for the Department for National Drug Control, Kim Wilson, JP, MP; Assistant Commissioner Martin Weekes from the Bermuda Police Service; ladies and gentlemen of the media, thank you for being here this morning.

Today, April 1st 2013, is the start of Alcohol Awareness month. Each year CADA, encouraging responsible alcohol behavior, works to raise the community’s awareness on responsible alcohol behavior. This year, we will focus on educating the community about Sobriety Checkpoints, what they look like, what they are designed to do and how they will benefit Bermuda.

We will share the research on best practices and the effectiveness of this important initiative on reducing the number of alcohol related road collisions and fatalities in other jurisdictions.

Additionally, we will work to encourage and support open dialogue between adults and young people and children about not drinking alcohol until at least the age of 18 years, and about responsible drinking after the age 18 years.

Throughout April, we will host a series of presentations, to view the Calendar of these presentations click here"

View video footage of the many events of Alcohol Awareness Month 2013. Thank you to all our Volunteers, Community Partners and Stakeholders

CADA is pleased to announce that Dr. Joseph Froncioni has accepted the invitation to join the CADA Board. Making the announcement was CADA Chairman, Mr. Anthony Santucci.

Mr. Santucci stated, “Dr. Froncioni brings to the CADA Board extensive knowledge and a strong background on road safety. He is known in Bermuda for his work with the Road Safety Council, where he served on the board for five years as the medical representative and as Deputy Chair and then Chairman. Dr. Froncioni, an orthopedic consultant by profession, was the co-author of a study, Road Traffic Injuries in Bermuda 2003 – 2004. The study was made public through a series of presentations over the course of a year to various organizations and government bodies throughout Bermuda. The study brought to light the magnitude of Bermuda’s road safety problem and made specific recommendations for improvement.

Mr. Santucci continued, “On behalf of the Board, it is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Froncioni to the CADA Board and we look forward to working with him as we continue to implement programs which encourage responsible alcohol behavior.”

Dr. Froncioni added, “I look forward to working with the Board and staff of CADA. They are known in Bermuda for their focus on saving lives through awareness and the prevention of drinking and driving. I appreciate the opportunity to work with this great organization.”

Today's video CADA Chairman, Mr. Anthony Santucci speaking on how we can prevent underage drinking. CADA will display a different video each day during the month of December 2012, with key members of our community responding to one or more of the following questions:

"What Are The Benefits Of Sobriety Checkpoints?"

"How Can We Prevent Underage Drinking?"

"What Can Be Put In Place To Continue To Change Bermuda’s Culture Towards Alcohol?"

To view Bermuda Youth and Alcohol Statistics click here

The 2012 Survey of Students Knowledge and Attitudes of Drugs and Health released by the DNDC, where 2,060 9 to 11 year olds were surveyed showed the following:

Average age for first trying alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 8 years old

% of 9 year olds who had tried alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 17.4%

% of 10 year olds who had tried alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 25.3%

% of 11 year olds who had tried alcohol, even a sip, but not including wine at church, 33%

Additionally, the 2011 Bermuda Youth Survey, released by the DNDC, where 3,200 10 to 18 year olds were surveyed showed the following:

Average age for first trying alcohol 12 years old

% of 13 year olds who had tried alcohol 24.5%

% of 14 year olds who had tried alcohol 41%

% of 15 year olds who had tried alcohol 52.5%

These statistics are very troubling because it is proven that the younger a person is when they begin consuming alcohol, the more likely they are to become addicted to alcohol, those who begin consuming alcohol before the age of 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence (alcoholism) than those who wait until age 21, each additional year of delayed drinking onset reduces the probability of developing alcoholism by 14%.

To see How to Talk with Children about Alcohol click here

As an adult, here are more things you can do to prevent and stop underage drinking:

Do not give, buy or serve alcohol to young people under the age of 18
Giving alcohol to someone who is under the age of 18, or turning a blind eye when a young person is consuming alcohol is dangerous and irresponsible. Some adults use alcohol as a special occasion celebration, allowing young people to have a sip of beer, wine or champagne at special events. For the reasons stated earlier this is very harmful and dangerous.

Model responsible alcohol behavior infront of your children
Simply stated, children copy adults' behavior, therefore model restraint and set a good example. Your children will grow up to do what they have SEEN you do. If you choose to drink you can positively influence young people by drinking in moderation and never driving if you have been drinking. If you or your partner struggle with alcohol use, seek proffessional help. Call 295 5982.

Don't keep alcohol in your house, or lock it up
Take the alcohol out of your fridge and lock it up. Or better yet, don't keep alcohol in your house.

The vast majority of deaths on Bermuda’s roads involve alcohol or drugs.

If you plan to consume alcohol, put a plan in place to get home safely. Put this plan in place before you leave home.

Remember ABCD – Always use Bus, Cab or Designated Driver

CADA Summer Alcohol Awareness Campaign

CADA, Encouraging Responsible Alcohol Behavior, today announced the start of their Summer Alcohol Awareness Campaign

Making the announcement was CADA’s Chairman, Mr. Anthony Santucci, who said, “CADA’s board, staff and volunteers have been out and about around the island, this weekend, putting up banners and signs as a reminder to residents not to drink and drive. The two key messages we are focusing on this holiday period are ABCD – Always use Bus, Cab or Designated Driver and Adults Make the Difference Stop Underage Drinking. To view the Cup Match bus schedule for Route #7 click here. Or. To view the Cup Match bus schedule for all other routes click here.

Anthony Santucci stated, “CADA recognizes that more alcohol than usual will be around and available during the Cup Match holiday weekend. As responsible adults, we have an obligation to ensure that alcohol does not get into the hands of our young people. It is harmful to give, buy or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, underage drinking is known to significantly increase the risk of a young person becoming addicted to alcohol.

“In order to reduce the risk of children and young people drinking alcohol, during Cup Match and at any time during the year, we, as adults, should talk to them and let them know why alcohol is harmful for them, click here to see how to speak with children about alcohol.

Click here to see how to talk with teenagers about alcohol.