By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY -Attorney General Luther Strange said he is honored that the Century Council is presenting him with its 2012 Leadership Award for efforts to reduce underage drinking and drunk driving.
Attorney General Strange partnered with the organization during Alcohol Awareness Month this past April, along with basketball player Shaquille O’Neal and a student-led initiative called LessThanUThink, to reduce binge drinking at The University of Alabama.
“I want to thank the Century Council for this honor and more importantly for its tireless work and dedication in fighting drunk driving and underage drinking,” said Attorney General Strange.
The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization, has been a leader in addressing the issue of alcohol overconsumption on college campuses. In designating Attorney General Strange as its leadership award recipient, the group praised his outstanding commitment to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.
“Attorney General Strange’s willingness to spend time on college campuses and talk with students about the issue of overconsumption of alcohol proves that he is a tireless advocate for the people of Alabama,” said Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of The Century Council. “The Attorney General’s leadership on this issue has helped educate many on the dangers of overconsumption and we applaud his efforts.”
The Council cites progress in the fight against underage drinking, noting that nationwide, trends in alcohol consumption among college students continue to slowly decline across all prevalence rates measured – from 1991 to 2011 annual consumption declined 12%, monthly alcohol consumption has declined 15% and binge drinking among college students has declined even more over this same period of time – down 16% from 43% to 36% in 2011. (Source: University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future, 2012). Yet as 64% of college students report binge drinking, the Council notes, it is clear that more attention to this important issue is needed.
In announcing the award, the Council commended Attorney General Strange’s leadership in Alabama on this issue for helping educate citizens, especially college students, on the dangers of binge drinking and effective ways to reduce it.
