More than 300 professionals attended PLCB ’ s annual conference to discuss strategies to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking .

ence , launched 15 years ago , offers attendees free workshops through a grant from NABCA .

Workshops include topics like developing youth peer leadership programs , the correlation between alcohol and sexual abuse and violence , ways to effectively educate youth regarding the risks and alternatives to drinking , the importance of campus community partnerships , how small communities can effectively deal with and plan for large alcohol-related events , the development of research-based prevention campaigns and a licensee track where PLCB talks about responsible licensee service .

The March 2017 conference , PLCB ’ s largest to date , was somewhat unique . Pennsylvania passed comprehensive liquor reform that became effective in Aug . 2016 , which increased and significantly changed convenience and access to alcohol in the state .

“ This year ’ s conference theme focused on navigating the currents of change and promoting responsibility in the wake of increased access and convenience to obtain alcohol ,” Brassell says .

The agency ’ s grant program began in 1999 and has awarded more than $ 14.1 million in its history . Sales from the PLCB ’ s retail locations fund its operating budget , and that budget provides funding for all of its education efforts , including the grant program .

All grantees must submit an evi- dence-based proposal that shows the proposed program will be successful . The two-year grant cycle provides a maximum of $ 40,000 to each grantee for the two years . In the most recent grant cycle , PLCB received 99 applications and awarded $ 2.3 million across 66 grants to organizations from 33 counties .

“ These grants go to community organizations , municipalities , law enforcement organizations , nonprofits and institutions of higher education ,” Brassell says . “ Some of the college programs are focusing on surveys , student assessments to inform better communication and outreach efforts with their student bodies . The college and university grants also include enforcement efforts and partnerships with local police and campus police . Some of the programs that the colleges are pursuing are nationally known projects , choices or resources like AlcoholEDU and Operation Buzzkill . We award these grants based on applications really demonstrating the project ’ s ability to deliver results and have an impact on local communities .”

BRIANNA LIESTMAN is a trade journalist currently serving as managing editor of Boating Industry , a B2B publication in the recreational marine industry . She lives in Minneapolis , Minn . with her husband and a very spoiled dog , both of whom she takes with her while exploring local breweries , wineries and distilleries .

BY JEREMY NEDELKA

Education is at the core of the North Carolina ABC Commission ’ s work . Prior to launching a large-scale campaign to combat underage drinking , the commission conducted research with target audiences to determine the best approach to address the problem . After seeking advice from other states and conducting more than 500 interviews with parents and children , the agency determined that the average age children begin drinking is 13 , and that children seek more guidance from their parents about the dangers of alcohol than they were receiving .

As a result of that research , the commission created the “ Talk it Out ” campaign in 2014 . The initiative utilizes television , radio , billboards , bumper stickers and social media to drive people to TalkitoutNC . org , a website full of resources intended to help parents effectively communicate with their children about alcohol . Additionally , the website contains detailed information on adolescent brain research , which indicates the brain isn ’ t fully developed until age 25 . It also provides information about the dangerous effects alcohol can have on youth ’ s development . The campaign , which is entirely

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