NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

2005 (project period: June 1, 2005 - May 31, 2006)

From Spokesman Steve McCausland - 626-3812

For more info - Kim Johnson - 287-2595 or Commissioner Michael Cantara 626-3803 or the police chief or sheriff of the departments listed below.

Nine police and five sheriff's departments in Maine will share nearly $84,000 in federal money to combat and reduce underage drinking The funding will be used by the departments to develop policies and increase enforcement aimed at illegal possession of alcohol by minors and the illegal furnishing of that alcohol by adults.

The money comes from a federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grant through the Maine Office of Substance Abuse and the Maine Department of Public Safety.

"Prevention and enforcement make a powerful partnership," said Kim Johnson, Director of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse. "We know from a successful three year project in Piscataquis County that a comprehensive initiative can have a huge impact. Underage drinking is a community problem and a community solution with enforcement at its core can work in Maine."

Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara said, "The funding for the one year program begins June 1 and coincides with many end of the year school activities such as proms and graduations which are often used as excuses for underage drinking. A key element will be consistent enforcement and parents will be notified when juveniles are found with alcohol." Cantara praised the police and sheriff's departments for their participation in the program and urged parents to work with law enforcement to help reduce underage drinking.

The departments receiving the funding are :

Biddeford Police Department $7,412

Calais Police Department $5,000

Eliot Police Department $4,400

Orono Police Department $5,000

Oakland Police Department $4,526

Saco Police Department $4,980

Westbrook Police Department $5,000

Winslow Police Department $5,411

York Police Department $4,833

Waldo County Sheriff's Department $7,500

Penobscot County Sheriff's Department $7,452

Franklin County Sheriff's Department $7,439

Knox County Sheriff's Department $7,499

Cumberland County Sheriff's Department $7,500

More Information about the project (word)

For Law Enforcement page