Reality Check: Taking the Keys is Not Enough

Reality Check: Taking the Keys is Not Enough

Ankeny event to discuss new ‘social host’ law and dangers of
underage drinking

This FREE Ankeny Town Hall Event will discuss Iowa’s new ‘social host’
law, prevention of underage drinking, and dangers of drinking and driving.

Mark Bigler, the featured
speaker, is the head boys’ basketball coach at Davenport West High School. His
life was changed in April 2012, when he lost his eight-month-old grandson,
Drake, in a crash that involved a drunk driver. After that tragic experience,
he made a promise to his son and daughter-in-law to make presentations to
educate the dangers that can occur when people choose to drink and drive. Mr.
Bigler’s story has been featured on ESPN’s E60 shows and CBS Sports.

A new ‘social host’ law in Iowa, passed this year, creates
penalties for adults who allow young people to drink alcohol on their property.

Underage drinking, and drinking and driving statistics:

1. Adolescents who begin
   drinking at the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol
   dependence and 2 ½ times more likely to become abusers of alcohol than those
   who begin drinking at the age of 21.
2. Alcohol related traffic
   fatalities are the leading cause of death in the 5-34 yr age group.         
3. Underage drinking cost the
   state of Iowa $600 million in 2010, according to the Underage Drinking
   Enforcement Training Center.

Sponsored by Employee & Family Resources and Ankeny Substance Abuse Project