Agenda - 04-07-2015 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

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= I AK Local Boards' Dollars Have I m o rta nt p Community Impact The work of the state ABC Commission to establish the North Carolina Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking is not happening in a OV STOP UVDETaGE DTIVVVG. vacuum. For decades the local ABC boards' retail sales have generated funds that support work in communities across the state to raise awareness and treat the results of alcohol's damaging effects. In the fiscal year just ended, the local boards distributed $75 million locally, and more than $10 million of that funded alcohol education and treatment at the community level. As the largest boards in the state, Wake and Mecklenburg ABC always count for the bulk of the alcohol education spending at the board level, but smaller boards with smaller budgets are doing their parts too. Five local boards in Brunswick County have pooled their resources to co- sponsor a $12,000 alcohol education program for their region. Brunswick County, Ocean Isle Beach, Southport, Shallotte, and Sunset Beach started the collaborative venture in April and hope to sustain it over a three -year period. "We are trying to work together locally to help stop underage drinking," said Arthur Duncan, General Manager of the Shallotte board. And in Moore County, the ABC board this year contributed $100,000 to local programs ($20,000 apiece to Bethesda House, Bethany House and Friend to Friend alone) in addition to contributions to the Boys and Girls Club, Moore County Day Reporting Center and Moore County Public Schools' `second chance' program. Moore County General Manager Pam Smith said the ABC board makes its evaluations thoughtfully and with an eye toward long- term impact. "We make sure the programs are successful, and they have a demonstrated need. We want to make sure the money is being put to good use," Smith said.