The ASAP Substance Abuse Taskforce is a lynchpin of our work.  The taskforce is comprised of individuals from local law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, Drug Enforcement Agency, NH Bureau of Liquor Enforcement, and community coalitions.  By reaching out to local law enforcement agencies to determine the needs in each community and how they could best be met, and by collaborating over town lines, we are able to share resources and knowledge and affect positive change.  When we assembled the taskforce, all towns in our region were invited to attend an initial meeting to share thoughts and ideas about how best to combat underage drinking. 

The co-chairs of the taskforce are Cyndi Desrosiers, Project Coordinator for Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention, and Sgt. Christopher Hutchins, Drug Recognition Expert, NH Bureau of Liquor Enforcement.

On May 11, 2009, ASAP collaborated with the NH Bureau of Liquor Enforcement and Raymond Police Department to conduct a Controlled Party Dispersal Training. Folks in Raymond volunteered their home and youth from the Raymond Coalition for Youth were trained and a mock party was conducted. It was a complete success. In July, with funding from NH Liquor Enforcement, ASAP and EUDL we will be producing a DVD on the protocol of this effort for other law enforcement agencies for training purposes and for communities for educational purposes. Stay tuned!

In July of 2009, four Police Departments in our region were awarded a joint EUDL (Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws) Grant from the NH Attorney General's Office in the amount of $15,000. Newton, Raymond, Seabrook and Pelham Police Departments will have extra funds to increase enforcement around underage drinking details through June of 2010.

The goals of the taskforce are to:

• Reduce youth access to alcohol, utilizing various evidence-based strategies (social and retail access);
• Measure, track, and improve merchant compliance with alcohol laws;
• Collaborate with community coalitions and the NH Bureau of Liquor Enforcement to provide research-based merchant education;
• Build community support for enforcement of underage drinking laws and other drug abuse through media advocacy and community coalition maintenance and development;
• Develop local law enforcement support for underage drinking and other drug prevention, intervention, and enforcement efforts; and
• Collaborate with District Courts, Juvenile Courts, and Judges throughout the region to encourage consistent fines and sanctions relative to drug and alcohol related violations.