Cumberland Kiwanis
Minutes of June 7, 2010
Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald
Speakers: Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
Topic: Take It Back – Underage Drinking
in Barron County
Sheriff led off by
highlighting the ÒculturalÓ problem here in Wisconsin. A map showing the relationship of the
number of grocery stores versus taverns demonstrated clearly that our state
leads the nation in taverns. We
rank #1 in adult alcohol consumption, as well as in underage drinking. 75% of men and 43% of women have over
two drinks a day.
The Sheriff is conducting a
series of town hall meetings in schools and communities to discourage underage
consumption. A recent survey
showed that 35% of teens had at least one drink and one in five had binge
drinking in the last 30 days. 15%
of DWI teens had 4-5 tickets.
While the primary source of
alcohol is the family fridge, county bars also have not been perfect. Recent compliance tests showed 11/23,
2/17, and 4/7 selling alcohol to minors.
Mr. Fitzgerald ended with a
listing of the consequences to teens for underage drinkers in terms of health
and future jobs and education.
Particularly disturbing was a series of ÒpartyÓ images found on local teensÕ
Face Book pages.
Finally, Mr. Fitzgerald hopes
the program will help to change the culture and prevent alcohol-related traffic
injury and death. He hopes that
the message will get through and that Barron County can preserve the safety
record of no serious teen traffic incidents since the fatal crash of July 2009.