Dane County Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse

Dane County government has contracted with the Center to provide facilitation services for the now one-year-old Dane County Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse. The work is not about prohibition; it is about the damage done by excessive use.

The Coalition was created by County Executive Kathleen Falk as a facet of her Alcohol Initiative to significantly strengthen the work to reduce the harm caused by alcohol abuse in Dane County and Wisconsin. This grassroots organization has worked to inform and mobilize both youth and adults to take action on the critical leverage points needed to achieve that goal. It also works with local coalitions in Dane County to assist their excellent work.

The Dane County Coalition work has focused on significant local/state legislative and policy change - resulting in two events at the Capitol to support increasing the beer tax (which has not been raised in 40 years). Coalition members have also worked on developing and disseminating messages that will help to change the negative aspects of our current culture that too-often accepts harmful drinking by adults but also by youth.

The Coalition also has been awarded a grant to focus on binge-drinking in the 18-25 year old population especially downtown and in the college population. This grant is from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and is coordinated with the Deerfield Coalition that focuses on the rural areas of Dane County. » Read more