CD: MSU, local bars to combat underage drinking

TIM PRATT

Mississippi State University is spearheading a campaign to combat underage drinking in Starkville.

With a federal Department of Education grant worth $355,000, MSU is leading an effort with Mississippi University for Women and the University of Mississippi called “Stay Dry: Mississippi Coalition of Partners in Prevention.”

Posters with the “Stay Dry” logo already have started showing up in Mississippi State dormitories and have been distributed to several Starkville restaurants and bars. The posters bear messages illustrating the impact and consequences of underage and binge drinking.

April Heiselt, MSU assistant professor of counseling and educational psychology, said another campaign component involves participating merchants seizing fake identification cards used by underage patrons and returning to them a card that reinforces the “Stay Dry” message. The replacement cards will spell out consequences and legal ramifications to both patrons and businesses if false IDs are honored, but later uncovered by authorities.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.