Local panel to hold public hearings about underage alcohol use

A local alcohol awareness organization has formed a Public Policy Panel, which will conduct the first of three public hearings about underage drinking in Athens County from 7 to 8:30 tonight in the Hocking College auditorium.

The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services gave a grant to Together Erasing Alcohol Misuse Athens County and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (317 Board) to fund the project, said Svea Maxwell, coordinator for TEAM Athens County.

The panel's public hearings are geared toward learning more about underage drinking in Athens County, she said. The second one will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Federal Hocking High School. The third will take place at the same time March 1 at Athens High School.

Mike Waldren, general manager of Kerr Distributing Co. Inc., 771 W. Union St., will speak about keg sale policies, Maxwell said. House parties and Uptown alcohol access also will be discussed.

Maxwell said details of the grant are not finalized.

- Kevin A. Schneider