How did SCCUDD start?

In April 2006, concerned community members came together to form the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking (SCCUD) in response to:

  • Photos of an underage drinking party posted to social media causing the football team to have to forfeit an important game
  • The arrest of a mother for purchasing a car-trunk full of alcohol for her children and their friends
  • The 2006 Community Health Assessment found that alcohol use was the #1 health concern of county residents and that the county had: ◦2 times the state rate of youth DWI arrests
  • 2 times the state rate of unintentional injuries and death
  • 3 times the state rate of youth on probation with alcohol involvement
  • A high rate of youth injured in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents

 The coalition originally focused on reducing alcohol availability, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement, and changing social norms. Early activities included:

  • DA letter to graduating seniors’ parent about hosting laws
  • Parents Who Host, Lose The Most: Don't be a Party to Teenage Drinking campaign
  • Sheriff-provided retailer trainings on age proofing and provision of detection machines
  • Clings on store coolers
  • Anonymous Tip Line
  • Beer garden at Italian American Festival
  • Ended the practice of the senior class receiving beer mugs or wine glasses with school logo

In 2012, the coalition entered into a Drug-Free Communities Mentoring Grant with Tompkins County's Community Coalition for Healthy Youth (CCHY). With CCHY's guidance, the coalition expanded its focus to include other drugs and updated its name from the Schuyler County Commission on Underage Drinking (SCCUD) to the Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD). The coalition also worked on updating its by-laws and structure, increasing coalition capacity through education and skill-building trainings, and conducted focus groups with community youth to further understand the drug-related social norms and issues facing youth.

In October 2014, SCCUDD was awarded a federal Drug-Free Communities Support Grant by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This five-year grant secured federal resources to reduce youth use of alcohol and other drugs by supporting community-driven solutions.

Show All Answers

1. What are the consequences of teen substance use?
2. Why do some teens choose to drink and use other drugs?
3. What can I do to reduce teen use of alcohol and other drugs?
4. I'm worried about someone's alcohol or other drug use. Where can I find help?
5. How did SCCUDD start?
6. What does SCCUDD do?