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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The local government teamed up with Heineken USA to unveil a new anti-underage drinking campaign called "We Don't Serve Teens" at the beer manufacturing headquarters in White Plains this Tuesday.
The initiative will supply local businesses with "We Don't Serve Teens" stickers to display in their stores and cover Bee-Line buses and bus stops with advertisements promoting the responsible consumption of alcohol.
County Executive Robert Astorino called on parents, alcohol vendors, and residents to support the Federal Trade Commission's national efforts to prevent those under 21 from drinking alcohol.
"This effort is very, very important to combat underage drinking and ultimately to save lives," Astorino said. "Far too often, we open up the newspaper or watch the news and see a young child pronounced dead because of drunk driving."
White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach said the city's bar and restaurant scene can be tempting for teens, which makes it even more important for the community to monitor underage drinking.
"This is a city that has a reputation for fine restaurants and it's a fun place to go out at night, but some places have to be for 21-year-olds and up to drink," said Roach. "The other part is getting kids to realize this."
The county's local efforts to prevent underage drinking will also be supported with a $625,000 federal grant that will help fund Westchester's Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth.
Do you think underage drinking is a problem in White Plains? Are all the bars and restaurants in White Plains an additional tempting for residents under 21? Email thoughts to strangle@mainstreetconnect.us and we'll include your responses in future coverage.
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