State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-C-Chautauqua County, recently met with local students as part of Chautauqua Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council's 2012 Alcohol Awareness Month.
The students, who were finalists in the council's art contest, met with Goodell to discuss the many alcohol-related issues facing youth today.
"Alcohol use by our young people is a complex problem, one that can only be solved through a sustained and cooperative effort," he said. "If we care about the health and well-being of our children, we need to do everything we can to prevent anyone under the age of 21 from drinking alcohol. It is especially encouraging to see great young people, like these students, who are willing to stand up and say this is a problem and we need to do something about it."
Article Photos
Assemblyman Andy Goodell meets with area students to discuss their efforts in fighting against underage drinking. Back row, from left, are Asako Nakamoto of Southwestern Central School, Jeana Helman of Forestville Central School, Sydney Aldrich of Fredonia Central School, Julia Rater of Sherman Central School, Courtney Russo of Washington Middle School, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and Madison Russo of Bemus Point Central School, Front row, from left, are Mariana Waite of Cassadaga Valley Central School, Ana Pavlock of Bemus Point Central School, and Daisy Ferguson of Clymer Central School.
Submitted photo
Finalists unable to attend were Meghan Nolan of Bemus Point Central School, Jack Carlson of Fredonia Central School and Branda Burick of Sherman Central School.
The posters will now go on display on the walls of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. The student posters will be also be featured on more than 20,000 bookmarks that will be distributed by CASAC to schools, libraries and youth organizations in the county to announce the 2013 contest.
Since 1974, CASAC, a United Way agency, has provided prevention and intervention services for problems related to alcohol and other drugs to the residents of Chautauqua County. CASAC is the only New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services approved and supported prevention agency in the county.