Acquiring new members and planning new projects was the focus of a Thursday meeting of an organization designed to curb underage drinking in Lowndes County.
A meeting of Community Striving to Prevent Underage Drinking, also known as CSPUD, featured representatives from the Columbus Police Department, the W, YMCA, and other organizations meeting with Molly Portera and Brandy Andrews, who are working establish a coalition to prevent underage drinking.
“This is the second year we have had this meeting. It was a big meeting last year. We are funded through a federal grant program designed for something like this,” Portera said.
Andrews said the role of CSPUD members includes participation, selection and promotion of activities to reduce underage drinking.
“We want to work not only with the students of The W, but also students in all the public schools in Lowndes County, and Heritage Academy. We want them to understand that underage drinking is wrong,” she said.
She added it is important for members to serve as ambassadors for the coalition”s work and promote its mission when and wherever possible.
Portera said there are plans to develop a logo for the coalition, and the group is working with the MUW Art Department to develop one.
Menissia Cowart of Mitchell Distributing, who will promote the program designed to prevent underage drinking, said she plans to devise a program for teens who are getting ready to have their proms.
“I want put special cards in the pockets of tuxedos that the guys will rent that illustrate the risks of underage drinking,” she said.
Other proposed projects discussed included a proposed town hall meeting in Starkville, but a time and place has not been determined.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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