WYOMING NEWS ARCHIVES

(Back to Wyoming News)

July 13, 2008

Wyoming MADD chapter gives thanks for a few of the things happening to address binge drinking, alcohol abuse, drunk driving and underage drinking that is helping to save lives.  (Read more)

Arrest puts rodeo in unwelcome spotlight

June 27, 2008

Two National College Rodeo Finals contestants arrested for criminal entry, minor in possession, interference with an officer and other charges. (Read more)

More kids in drug trouble

June 26, 2008

More kids are getting into trouble for substance abuse issues ... (Read more)

Rock Springs liquor retailers continue to fail compliance checks.

June 27, 2008

Thirty percent of Rock Springs liquor retailers sold alcohol to minors during a recent compliance check. (Read More)

County requires $1m in insurance

June 27, 2008

Carbon County officials now require anyone selling or serving alcohol on county property to carry liability insurance. (Read More -pdf)

About half of all binge drinking takes place in public and in large groups, increasing the risk of injury, according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Read More)

Homesteader Bust

May 23, 2008

Fifteen Powell youth arrested for underage drinking in Powell park. (Read More) (image file)

How do we stop rise in violent crimes?

May 9, 2008

It's disturbing to see Capser buck on national trend. The number of violent crmins increased here last year. (Read More - pdf)

Underage drinking a problem in Douglas, all of Wyoming.

May 7, 2008

Underage drinking is more widespread in the Cowboy State than previously known- at least according to the findings of a piolot program that involved the Douglas Police Department. (Read More - pdf)

Council discusses underage drinking
Friday, Apr 18th, 2008

In the City Council meeting on Tuesday, council members and the Mayor expressed strong feelings about and voted unanimously against a limited malt beverage permit, making clear their positions on underage drinking. The request was made by Twilight, LLC, which plans a hip hop event in May, and is targeting an audience ranging in age from 15 to 25. (Read more)

Forum discusses youth drinking behavior
Mar 21st, 2008
Underage drinking, binge drinking and drunk driving are major concerns throughout the country, the state and, as dozens of Goshen County residents learned at a meeting Wednesday, in Goshen County . The Policy Makers Forum, sponsored by the Torrington Police Department, brought together law enforcement, attorneys, judges, school representatives, liquor establishment owners, youth representatives and others to discuss the problems with underage drinking in Goshen County. (Read More)

Surgeon General’s visit to Wyoming Update

Sunday, March 23, 2008

America 's chief health educator will make his first appearance in Wyoming this week, said first lady Nancy Freudenthal . U.S. Surgeon General Steven Galson will speak in Riverton Monday about underage drinking. The Wyoming First Lady's Initiative, in conjunction with the Wyoming Department of Health, will hold a town hall meeting to examine the science and consequences of underage drinking. "People see underage drinking as a rite of passage and think nothing will come of it," Freudenthal said. "We are really moving away from the moral lecture to parents and want to talk to them about the health risks." (Read More)

Wyoming District Court ruling

Powell, WY - February 15, 2008 - Fifth Judicial District issues a ruling on the constitutionality and issues involving the prosecution of the City of Powell ’s minor in possession ordinance. PDF File

Study: Most arrests alcohol related
Laramie, Feb 6, 2008 - Across Wyoming, 68 percent of all arrests involve alcohol, according to statistics from the Coalition to Prevent Substance Abuse. (read more)

Events Center gets council nod for alcohol

January 29, 2008 - The Cheyenne City Council voted 8-2 to allow alcohol to be served at functions at the Taco John's Events Center . he ordinance would allow the city to set forth an alcohol policy for those who want to lease the facility for events. Councilman Don Pierson said he considered suggesting a change: The city would only issue permits to serve alcohol for adults-only events at the center. But he didn't think he had the votes. "We do have a problem with underage drinking in this town," Pierson said. "I've known that for a whole bunch of years." Instead, he offered a rule that would bar the city from sponsoring events that serve alcohol at the Taco John's Events Center . "I think we as elected officials should be setting examples," he said. "We should be doing everything in our power to prevent (underage drinking) from happening." (Read More)

Wyoming First Lady is Honorary Chair for State's 2008 Family Day.

January 21, 2008 - Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal has been named Honorary Chair for Wyoming ’s 2008 celebration of Family Day. The Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ initiative, sponsored by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, is held nationwide every year on the fourth Monday in September. The event encourages parents to be engaged in their children’s lives, reminding them that frequent family dinners are an effective way to connect with their children on a regular basis. Mrs. Freudenthal is the first State Honorary Chair CASA has named for the 2008 Family Day. She states in a press release, “As our lives get busier and busier, families work even harder to spend time together. The CASA Family Day celebration, in coordination with several state agencies, the schools, faith communities and non profits, offers support for our busy Wyoming families to give their children the tools they need to grow up substance-free.” Please visit www.casafamilyday.org for more information about Family Day.

Taking aim at alcohol abuse

December 27, 2007 - In order to reduce Wyoming’s alcohol abuse problem and the law enforcement and social issues that accompany it, policy makers have to stop treating the symptoms and focus on prevention.That’s the message being spread among key leaders in five Wyoming communities selected as pilot projects for Communities in Action, a new initiative by the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs.“We’re kind of the front line, but we’re not necessarily the solution,” said Byron Oedekoven, executive director for WASC. Stakeholders have to set the tone together.The initiative has now been launched in the five communities selected for size, location and the level of commitment offered by the chiefs of police. Casper , Gillette, Rock Springs , Douglas and Powell have sponsored forums for policy makers and will develop, implement and track strategies to cut down on underage drinking and adult alcohol-related problems (Read More)

Douglas sets alcohol strategy

December 25, 2007 - By the end of  2007, police Chief Lori Emmert expects her officers to tally 120 arrests for driving under the influence -- up significantly from the 60 to 70 arrests made annually  between 2002 and 2004. That’s quite a bit for this city of around 5,500 people, she said, comparing the figures with projections that the Casper Police Department will make a record 500 to 600 DUI arrests for the year in a city 10 times the size of Douglas . “We’ve seen a significant increase,” Emmert said. “The statistics are alarming.” The most frightening part, she said, is how intoxicated these drunk drivers are. Alcohol was involved in 62 percent of all arrests in Converse County between April and September 2007. Charges of DUI accounted for 37 percent of the total arrests, and the average blood-alcohol content in those arrests was .1743. That’s more than double the legal limit of .08.  (Read More)

Agencies work to stop underage drinking across the county

December 15, 2007 - “We are seeing babies floating down the river and we think our job is to jump in the water and save them. What we need to be doing is looking upstream and asking why there are babies in the river in the first place.” That's how County Attorney Brett Johnson addressed the the growing underage drinking problem in Sweetwater County . (Read More)

LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE AND FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE OFFICERS CHANGE – Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal is now also Co-Chair of Leadership Foundation

December 15, 2007 - Maine First Lady Karen Baldacci will become a new Co-Chair of Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, joining Hawaii Lieutenant Governor “Duke” Aiona , North Dakota First Lady Mikey Hoeven, and Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal. Also, the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation has added three new officer positions, titled Chair, Co-Chair, and President/CEO, replacing the original President and Vice-President positions. Former Idaho First Lady Patricia Kempthorne is the new Chair and Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal is the new Co-Chair.

Research Summary

Nov 21, 2007 - Youths and young adults who binge on alcohol raise their risk of developing myriad serious health problems later in life, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, Newswise reported Nov. 20.(Read More)

Nearly 8,000 Youths Drink Alcohol for the First Time Each Day
November 8, 2007  - Thousands of youths use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for the first time each day in the United States , according to a recent analysis of data from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). On an average day in the past year, 7,970 youths ages 12 to 17 drank alcohol for the first time and 4,082 smoked cigarettes.( Read More)

Wyoming Group Seeks Grassroots Support For Tax Increase

Riverton - Nov 3, 2007 - The Fremont County Alcohol Tax Task Force has been leading a grassroots movement in Wyoming to garner support for increasing the State tax on malt beverages, from the current 2 cents per gallon to 19 cents per gallon. The November 3, 2007, Riverton Ranger reports that the group is trying to get the bill passed during the next State legislative session in February. Wyoming ’s tax on malt beverages has not changed since 1935. (Read More)

Comic Book Featuring Spider-Man in Battle Against Underage Drinking is Now Available

A special comic book titled Hard Choices, featuring Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four characters, educates 4th- through 8th-graders about the perils of drinking. Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with Marvel Entertainment and the Elks USA, Hard Choices urges children to become real-life heroes by making healthy choices in a battle against underage drinking. A teacher’s guide features interactive activities for educators, parents, and youth leaders to use with children. A PDF version of the teacher’s guide is available on the SAMHSA Publications Web page, and a free hard copy of the teacher’s guide is included with every order of 25 or more comic books. To order the comic books, contact SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD).

Cody Compliance Program Proves Effectiveness 

The Cody Enterprise reports that the Cody police department has conducted regular alcohol compliance checks at local restaurants, bars, and liquor stores over the past 4 years, which have resulted in considerably improved compliance, from about 50 percent of establishments at the start of the program to the current 89 percent. This figure is higher than the statewide average of 81 percent. The police department credits the diligence of bar owners and their staffs for the increase and also the city’s zero tolerance policy for alcohol and minors. Under the program, if bartenders or clerks pass the compliance check they receive a $10 gift certificate, but if they fail they are cited and fined up to $750.

No easy answer for drunk driving education

As a recent Kelly Walsh High School graduate, Emily Bergslien has seen plenty of videos warning her about the dangers of drunken driving.

The 18-year-old doesn't drink and drive, but those videos, she said, had nothing to do with her decision.

"It just felt trite," she said of videos she described as both cheesy and patronizing. "It was a trite way to reach us." (Read More)

50 year old mother sentenced for teen party

July 28, 2007 -A 50-year-old mother who was photographed holding a beer bong for a youngster at an underage drinking party was sentenced to 30 days in jail. Prosecutor Wendy Bartlett said a typical sentence would be 10 days, but aggravating circumstances justified the tougher jail term for Rita Mae Dunn. (Read More)

First Lady Addresses 2007 Summer Institute.

July 11, 2007 - Mrs. Freudenthal presented a 45 minute speech to the 100 adult and youth participants of the 9th Annual
Summer Institute, on July 11th in Cheyenne. (Read More)

Alcohol Facts

June 24, 2007 - It's responsible for six out of 10 arrests in Casper.It's the reason about 600 patients here need an ambulance every year.It caused nearly 100 car accidents in the city in 2006.It's the top risk factor for the leading cause of death for children in Wyoming.Alcohol may be legal and part of the social fabric of Casper. But alcohol use and the attitudes surrounding it have serious consequences for the city and its residents. (Read More)

Beer Featuring Baseball Mascot Appeals to Kids, Critics Say

June 15, 2007 - A Wyoming minor-league baseball team is selling beer named after its furry purple mascot, prompting a letter-writing campaign by local addiction-prevention groups. (Read More)

Coming to terms
Laramie, July 24, 2006 - About 300 people attended an open meeting hosted by the Laramie Police Department Wednesday to discuss the murders of two students, attack on a third and suicide of the suspect. No new information about the crime was disclosed, but community members were encouraged to ask questions of law enforcement officers in the hope of coming to terms with the three deaths. (Read more)

Police alcohol sting results in guilty plea

Jackson, July 20, 2006 - A Jackson man pleaded guilty Wednesday to selling alcohol to someone under 21 during an ongoing police campaign aimed at reducing underage drinking. (read more)

Officers arrest 23 students
Jackson - May 30, 2006 - A raid on a party of teenagers in an outlying part of the county resulted in the arrest of 23 youths Friday.
The Teton County Sheriff’s Office, working on an anonymous tip from a parent, followed cars 16 miles up the Gros Ventre Road and into a canyon.
Officers from Jackson Police Department and Wyoming Highway Patrol, moved in between midnight and 1 a.m. using night-vision goggles before breaking up the party. (read more)

Peak Wellness addresses underage drinking issue

Torrington - May 26, 2006 -Torrington's Peak Wellness Center is taking the initial steps to address childhood drinking with a "Do You Know Campaign" throughout southeast Wyoming. The campaign is associated with Goshen County School District 1 and Wyoming's First Lady's Underage Drinking Initiative. (read more)

First lady finds her stride
Casper - April 16, 2006 - First lady Nancy Freudenthal shares a little something personal with each audience, a technique she’s found effective in capturing attention and communicating a message. At a dinner celebrating the 25th year of women’s basketball at the University of Wyoming, she spoke of the values and leadership lessons high school sports taught her. At a gathering of mail carriers, the message includes fond recollections of her father and grandfather as letter carriers. (read more)

A formidable team
AFTON - April 15, 2006 - Tammie Archibald isn’t sure what creates a social conscience in a child, but she knows her son Ryan has one.
The pair works together against underage drinking in Star Valley. A perhaps unlikely pair n Ryan looks like a typical high school senior with the world before him, and Tammie is a self-described “social crusader” n they each bring a critical component of the fight to the table, and their closeness at home only furthers the cause. (read more)

Lincoln County communities hear first lady's message
AFTON, April 15, 2006 -- Law enforcement, teachers, counselors and activists can only do so much to discourage kids from drinking. In the end, it is parents who really make the difference, Nancy Freudenthal said at a Wyoming First Lady’s Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking town hall meeting here Thursday. “I can’t tell you how much parents matter,” she said. “The reality is that too many of our children say they have no meaningful relationship with even one adult. Now that’s worrisome.” (read more)

First lady cautions UW audience on prevalence of young drinkers
LARAMIE - April 14, 2006 Drinking by young children is a major problem in Wyoming -- and most of them get the alcohol from adults, first lady Nancy Freudenthal said Wednesday.Gov. Dave Freudenthal's wife, addressing a meeting called by the University of Wyoming's Greek organizations, said the state leads the nation in drinking by 13-year-olds. As a result, she said, a statewide initiative on underage drinking that she is spearheading is focused on youngsters aged 9 to 15.(read more)

Greeks to Host Alcohol Education Session

April 7, 2006 -- Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal will be among panelists during a University of Wyoming Greek Town Hall Meeting on the risks and liabilities associated with underage and high risk drinking. Open to the public, the meeting will be held Wednesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. in the Wyoming Union ballroom. (read more)

Progress on teen drinking?
RIVERTON - April 7, 2006 Early alcohol use kills or injures more young people than all illegal drugs combined - and Wyoming is first in the nation for the number of children who take their first drink before age 15.Those statistics and others that emphasize the pervasiveness of Wyoming's underage drinking problem should be a strong motivator for parents and communities across the state, First Lady Nancy Freudenthal said Thursday following a town hall meeting televised statewide as part of her initiative to reduce underage drinking.

City to gather about youth drinking
Casper - April 3, 2006. Communities across Wyoming will discuss the small but meaningful changes they've made to curb teen drinking in a statewide "town hall meeting" Thursday. Recent efforts include teen clubs that promote smart choices, closer scrutiny of bars before liquor license renewal and public information campaigns about the danger of teen drinking.(read more)

FIRST LADY: PARENTS PIVOTAL IN KEEPING TEENS AWAY FROM DRUGS

Cheyenne - Feb 28, 2006 - While in Washington, D.C., this week, Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal joined national officials to help raise awareness that parents really can make a difference in whether their children choose to abuse drugs. Freudenthal joined the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to unveil a new "Open Letter" print ad that highlights proven actions parents can take to help their teens successfully navigate the minefield of risky behaviors during the adolescent years, including setting rules and consequences, keeping close tabs on their teens and monitoring their teens' time on the Internet. (Read More)

Voters favor open container ban
Casper - February 10, 2006 - State Sen. Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne, is nothing if not persistent. For the sixth year in a row, he has introduced a bill to establish a statewide ban on all open containers of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles. He’s trying to strengthen a law passed five years ago. In 2001, Wyoming gained its first-ever statewide restrictions on open containers of alcohol in vehicles, when the Legislature prohibited drivers -- but not passengers -- of motor vehicles from possessing opened alcoholic beverages. (read more)

Do you know where your kids are right now?

Cheyenne -KWGN TV - January 31, 2006

Statistics show they may be out drinking as we speak. Numbers show that teenagers in Wyoming are drinking, and at a younger more impressionable age. Law enforcers and lobbyists are teaming up on a new bill to lower these rates. (read more)

Parents need alcohol education
Torrington Telegram - December 30, 2005
For years groups have been targeting youth in an attempt to cut down on underage drinking. Today the effort has shifted, making parents and adults the targets in order to help prevent such situations.“I’m a firm believer that we need to get the adults educated so they realize how harmful alcohol is to youth,” Torrington Police Chief Billy Janes said. “The schools and programs like DARE do a good job of educating the youth, but we aren’t educating the parents. Until we make those environmental changes, whether it be home life or wherever, we’ve kind of hit a stone wall.” (read more).

Citywide police sting yields nine alcohol citations

Jackson - December 20, 2005
The sting is one of several methods police are using to check compliance with alcohol laws as the holidays approach. Clerks at nine area businesses were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor Friday as the Jackson Police Department conducted an undercover sting operation. (read more)

YOUTH DRINKING IS HIGHER IN EUROPE THAN IN U.S.

 An analysis titled “Youth Drinking Rates and Problems: A Comparison of European Countries and the United States” finds that European teens do not drink more responsibly than do Americans. The researchers compared results from two surveys: the 2003 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) on 15- and 16-year-olds in 35 countries and the 2003 United States Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders. (read more)

Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal receives award from Wyoming law enforcement.

August 2005 - Wyoming's First Lady Nancy Freudenthal will receive a meritorious service award for her work on reducing youth access to alcohol at the 6th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation dinner. This dinner, hosted by the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, is an annual event to honor the important contributions made by law enforcement across the state to reduce underage drinking. (read more)

Wyoming First Lady extends challenge to stop underage drinking
August 26, 2005 - TORRINGTON  - Alcohol kills more children than all other drugs combined. Consequently, approximately 50 Goshen County residents joined the Goshen County Against Substance Abuse (GAS) and Wyoming’s First Lady Nancy Freudenthal at the Rendezvous Center Wednesday evening in support of the First Lady’s initiative to reduce underage drinking. A number of elected officials were also in attendance. “Today’s youth aren’t just experimenting with alcohol,” Freudenthal said in her address. “They are drinking to get drunk.” (read more)

Goshen County to target underage drinking

August 21, 2005 - TORRINGTON - In answer to an alarming trend toward increased alcohol use among minors, Goshen County has formed Wyoming's first countywide underage drinking coalition. The effort, led by District Court Judge Keith Kautz and Father Kevin Koch of Torrington's St. Rose Catholic Church, comes on the heals of the statewide charge issued by Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal to stop underage drinking. "Judge Kautz just happened to be in the same place at the same time and heard the first lady's comments. He decided this was exactly what was needed in Goshen County," Koch said.(read more)

Crook County Cares Speaks at Pine Haven Town Hall Meeting

Pine Haven - July 18 - At the Pine Haven Town Hall meeting July 18th several residence of Pine Haven came out to address serious concern regarding the use of the city park to a local alcohol establishment. (read more)

Moorcroft - July 22 - During last weeks Jubilee Festivities Moorcroft Police Chief Ed Robinson was in complete support of Crook County Cares underage drinking campaign by placing a banner on the police station.  The banner supports the First Lady Nancy Freudenthal's campaign to get Crook County involved to reduce underage drinking. (read more)

Crook County Cares Speaks at Pine Haven Town Hall Meeting

Moorcroft - July 18 -  At the Pine Haven Town Hall meeting July 18th several residence of Pine Haven came out to address serious concern regarding the use of the city park to a local alcohol establishment. In effort to support it's local business owners the town city council voted yes to allowing a local alcohol establishment to use the city park as a hosting ground for a food and alcohol event that could serve up to 300 bikers in a day. (read more)

Panel: Laws, education needed to curb DUIs

May 5, 2005 - Casper, WY - Governor's Award winners. Several people were recognized at a dinner Wednesday night with 2005 Governor's Awards for their efforts to combat impaired driving. (read more)

F.E. Warren 0-0-1-3 program teaches responsible drinking

April 7, 2005 -F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. (AFPN) -- The 0-0-1-3 program here began one year ago as a reaction to a national health crisis. Binge drinking, underage drinking and driving under the influence had become all too common. “(Alcohol) has affected every community every campus (and) pretty much every place that touches lives across the nation,” said Col. Evan Hoapili, 90th Space Wing commander here. “As a military, we represent the society we serve.” (read more)

The Century Council
Cheyenne, WY - March 10, 2005 — In advance of the Spring Season which brings Spring Break, Prom and Graduation, First Lady Nancy Freudenthal; Bill Pomeroy, State of Wyoming Department of Revenue; Laramie County Sheriff Danny Glick; Bob Fecht, Chief of Police; Mayor Jack Spiker and Mike Moser, Wyoming Liquor Association; joined Dana Fudurich of The Century Council for the statewide launch of The Council’s new public awareness campaign designed to prevent underage drinking today. (read more)

Underage drinking issue presented to school board at monthly meeting
March 4, 2005 - WHEATLAND - During the regular monthly meeting of the Platte County School District No. 1 (PCSD No. 1) School Board, support was given for a state-wide campaign aimed at reducing the acceptance of underage drinking. (read more)

City to examine closing drive-up liquor windows
February 25, 2005 - CASPER - The Casper City Council at a Thursday work session decided to examine more closely the possibility of closing all drive-up liquor windows in the city. However, as some members were quick to point out, the willingness to examine the issue does not mean the city will end up closing the convenient windows. (read more)

City to examine drive-up liquor ban
February, 25, 2005 - CASPER - Purchasing a six-pack of Bud Light or a liter of Canadian Lord Calvert without leaving the comforts of your own car will become a thing of the past in Casper if the Casper City Council accepts a list of recommendations made to it by the city's Liquor Task Force. Abolishment of drive-up liquor windows in the city is just one of seven recommendations the task force is scheduled to present to the council today at a 4:30 p.m. work session, but it is likely to be the most controversial, Police Chief Tom Pagel told the council last week before a meeting. (read more)

Senate takes aim at youth drinking
CHEYENNE - (February 23, 2005) The Wyoming Senate on Monday approved a bill that would establish a penalty for anyone hosting a party where minors consume alcohol or illegal drugs. The legislation, which will be returned to the House, would also prohibit individuals from permitting an underage drinking party on premises they own or lease. (read more)

Wyo. Senate OK's ban on hosting youth drinking parties
CHEYENNE - (February 14, 2005) Wyoming Senate on Monday approved a bill that would establish a penalty for anyone hosting a party where minors consume alcohol or illegal drugs. The legislation, which will be returned to the House, would also prohibit individuals from permitting an underage drinking party on premises they own or lease. (read more)

School resignation involves alcohol
THERMOPOLIS - (January 21, 2005) Thomas J. Ryan resigned as chairman of the Hot Springs County School Board on Thursday. He will stay on the as a board member, while Liz Mahoney takes his place as board chair. Earlier this month, Ryan was charged with aiding and abetting a minor in possession of alcohol. The charge stemmed from an underage drinking party on Jan. 2 at Ryan's business, Ryan Brothers Trucking in Thermopolis. (read more)

Response to Douglas Town Meeting: (January 18, 2005) Just a quick note to let you know how much not only I, but the Douglas/Converse County community enjoyed the presentation Friday night. I have heard some feedback and for the most part, it was positive. I would really like to stress, after the Q&A forum, that it appears that the general public is still looking to law enforcement as the first line of defense. As Chief of Police Lori Emmert and I were talking afterward, the mind set needs to be toward looking at law enforcement as the "court of last resort". When all else has failed, then enforcement action should come into play. It is a problem that we will never arrest our way out of; only through extensive education of both young people and the adult community will the problem be resolved. For the few "die-hards" and those who really don't give a flip, then we will be there to be the last piece of the puzzle. Please express my most sincere appreciation to the First Lady for the work she is doing and assure her that we are whole-heartedly in support of her efforts. Sheriff John Bey - Converse County Sheriff's Office

Teton students' drug, alcohol use exceeds state averages
JACKSON (AP) Casper Star Tribune (January 18, 2005) -- Alcohol and marijuana use by Teton County students has risen since 2001 and exceeds the state averages, according to school district surveys. The surveys also suggested that more teenagers are having sex while using drugs or alcohol. Some who saw the survey results say they reflect Teton County's party atmosphere -- especially among tourists. If substance abuse is accepted, experts say, there is little that schools or other organizations can do. (read more)

County bars are no place for minors
Casper Star Tribune Editorial (January 18, 2005) - People under the legal drinking age shouldn't be allowed in businesses that depend primarily on selling alcohol. Underage drinking is a problem in Natrona County, and the county commissioners should take steps to curb it when they can. Tonight, the commissioners will consider a proposed resolution that prohibits people under 21 from being on the premises of a business licensed for retail alcohol sales. (read more)

School Board member cited in underage drinking investigation.

Independent Record - Thermopolis (January 6, 2005)- Tom Ryan, Hot Springs County School Board chairman, has been cited for aiding and abetting consumption of alcohol by minors at a party early Sunday morning. Several other citations were issued, including seven to minors in possession of alcohol by consumption.  The citations followed several hours of investigation of a party in the Ryan Brothers trucking shop between 1 and 6 a.m. (read entire article)

Selling booze to minors is appalling
Casper Star-Tribune Editorial - Clerks who knowingly sell to underage buyers deserve to be arrested. Wyoming residents should demand prosecution of people who sell alcohol to minors. In a probe of illegal alcohol sales, 18-and 19-year-olds were sent to various liquor stores around the state. In each case, the minors carried valid Ids showing their correct ages. If the clerks asked them their age, the minors gave truthful answers. (read entire article)

Cody Enterprise - (December 13, 2004). An 8- and 12-year-old boy have appeared in fifth district court on alcohol related charges. District Judges Hunter Patrick of Cody and Gary Hartman of Worland discussed those cases during the 650 Forum on Dec. 8.  Other Panelists talked about the problem of underage drinking. The 8-year-old is the youngest Patrick said he has seen in his court on an alcohol-related charge. (read entire article)

City Police plan alcohol ‘stings’ soon         

Rawlins - Daily Times (December 11, 2004) Rawlins police are undertaking another phase of underage compliance checks for alcohol sales, Chief Mike Reed said this week. “We want them to know,” Reed said of alcohol distributors and vending employees. As it has done several times in the last year, RPD plans to find an underage individual, “dress them appropriately,” and ask them to attempt to purchase alcohol.  It’ll happen “in the next few weeks,” he said. (read entire article)

CODY-(Billings Gazette-December 9, 2004) Park County kids think that most of their underage friends drink alcohol every day.  They also believe that adults would just as soon look the other way. They couldn’t be more wrong, said Jay Otto, coordinator of the West Park Hospital 21^st Century State Incentive Grant.  The proof lies in a survey recently conducted by the University of Wyoming.(read entire article)

Powell Tribune (December 9, 2004) The concern on college campuses, make that fear, for the specter of a student death from alcohol poisoning as the result of binge drinking or excessive alcohol consumption is much in the news these days.

(read entire article)

Public enemy #1

 Jackson Hole Planet (Nov. 10, 2004) - To the editor: One of the most substantial problems in American society was again in evidence in your interview with Sheriff Zimmer [Nov. 3, Cover, “The man behind the mustache”].  Resources in the form of wasted money and manpower continue to be used to combat alcohol related crimes and issues such as DUI. (read entire article)

Cody Enterprise (Nov. 10, 2004) - To the editor: This is in response to Karen Kill’s letter Nov. 8:It is despicable and pathetic to attempt to blame officer Rick Dutcher or any liquor establishment for the underage drinking issue. (read entire article)

“Not Good Enough”

Powell Tribune (Nov. 9, 2004) - Chief says liquor selling outlets must screen better for underage. Half of Powell’s liquor license holders failed to deny sale to an underage buyer in a recent compliance check conducted by the Powell Police Department. (read entire article)

County can’t enforce a key law if council OKs it

Gillette News Record (Nov. 8, 2004) - But there are other ways that sheriff’s deputies and bars in county can help support the idea. Enforcing a city ordinance that requires liquor establishments to tag and register beer kegs may hit some snags it it’s passed this month. (read entire article)

Dubois: UW won't ban alcohol
LARAMIE (AP)  - About half a dozen University of Wyoming students have been  sent to the hospital with alcohol poisoning this year, but the university has no plans to ban alcohol on campus like some other universities have done, UW President Philip Dubois said. "We recognize that we have a problem here just like everywhere else," Dubois said, noting that every year students are sent to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. "...We've been fortunate that we haven't had a death here." (read entire article)

Binge drinking has taken too great a toll

Powell Tribune - The president of the University of Wyoming has more to do than read the classified ads in the student newspaper on campus. But he has no greater responsibility that protecting the safety of the 11,000 students on the UW campus. (read entire article)

UW trustees discuss game-day drinking
LARAMIE  (Sep 25, 2004) - University of Wyoming trustees Friday heard about efforts under way to change the atmosphere of drinking alcohol on football game days.The university is stepping up enforcement of those who violate the rules. Officials also established a place at the Stadium Lot where people 21 and older legally can drink alcohol at tailgate parties but only before the game. (read entire article)

Police report    
 Lovell Chronicle - Lovell Police Local businesses serve to minors.  An under-age drinking sting resulted in three local liquor establishments being issued a total of four citations, with another citation pending on another business. (read entire article)

0-0-1-3's sobering message
CHEYENNE - (Aug. 16,2004) - When he started hearing wisecracks about it, Col. Evan Hoapili knew the culture change had begun. "I hear people joke about going down to the Shopette and picking up a three-pack," he said, and that's when the commander of the 90th Space Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base knew people were paying attention to his new plan to promote responsible alcohol consumption and reduce underage drinking among airmen here.(read entire article)

Putting Caps on Teenage Drinking

La Mesa, Calif. (Aug. 24, 2004) - A year ago, at the request of Congress, the National Academy of Sciences issued a nationwide strategy to reduce underage drinking. It hasn't been adopted, and since then more than 3,000 Americans have been killed and nearly 1 million injured in traffic crashes, shootings, stabbings, beatings, drownings, burns, suicide attempts and alcohol poisonings - all linked to underage drinking. (read entire article)