By KAREN JONES CODY
A day in April has been set aside for residents to choose whether to allow the sale of alcohol in Knott County, but this month the members of the Knott Drug Abuse Council are asking the fiscal court to help them address a different facet of the alcohol issue. It is a problem KDAC faces daily — bringing awareness to the community of the dangers of alcohol abuse and underage drinking. Next Monday, the Knott Fiscal Court will hold the second reading of an ordinance which will prohibit gatherings of any kind that allow minors to consume alcohol.
Lola Patterson, Director of KDAC, said the group received funding through a federal grant to use in strategies to prevent underage drinking.
Studies show (and common sense makes obvious) that minors gain access to alcohol from peers or older adults. As the group discussed this issue, they decided to work on an ordinance to present to county government that would support laws which already exist.
“Some parents allow alcohol use at home, saying they would rather have their children at least drink in a safe place,” Patterson noted. “But sometimes this results in a gathering of friends — and providing alcoholic beverages to such a group is illegal.
“The primary purpose of this ordinance is to raise awareness and remind everyone that it is against the law to make it that easy for youth to get alcohol.”
The ordinance was presented for the first time in the last regular fiscal court meeting. After the second reading, the court will decide whether to approve it.
No matter what happens with the wet/dry vote in April, Patterson says it will not change the focus of KDAC; their stand against substance abuse includes preventing overconsumption of alcohol and under-age drinking.
“Whether it passes or not, we’ll keep doing what we do,” she told the Times. “We may have to address new issues and revise strategies, but we will continue to concentrate on youth.
“I guess the vote will be a good thing — everyone has the ability to decide for themselves, and the majority will determine what happens. If people decide they want it, they’ll also have to decide how to handle it.
“Whatever happens, we will still be here, and we will have a plan. We want to make sure people realize we’ ll be watching, and if there are alcohol sales, those establishments had better card anyone who could possibly be underage. There are laws in place to protect our young people, and we need to enforce the laws we have. It takes the entire community to do this, not just law enforcement officers.”
KDAC welcomes new members, and there are no dues. To become part of this organization, contact the office at 785-5503 or attend their regular meetings, held the second Tuesday of each month at 12 noon in the Justice Center.
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