April 14, 10

NEWS / Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Announces Three Public Service Announcements Aimed at Curbing

TRENTON B Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Jerry Fischer today announced that, in recognition of the upcoming prom season, the winning public service announcements from the 2009 “Proms and Alcohol Don’t Mix” contest have begun airing on cable stations throughout New Jersey. The “Proms and Alcohol Don’t Mix” contest was created to increase awareness by high school students about the dangers of underage drinking.

The "Proms and Alcohol Don’t Mix" contest asked high school students to create scripts for a 30-second television public service announcement. Director Fischer said the winning entries reflected originality and creativity, while also reinforcing the message "Proms and Alcohol Don’t Mix"

"With prom season once again upon us, it is imperative that students grasp the dangers of underage drinking,” Director Fischer said. “By airing these public service announcements, the Division hopes that students will take the warning about the dire consequences of underage drinking from their peers to heart.”

In 2009, two winning entries were selected for production:

* Arielle Russo, Krysta Cullen, Dan Tomansky and Matthew Hills, from Emerson Junior-Senior High School, created the script for “Sisters.” The PSA shows a young girl recalling how she went prom-dress shopping with her older sister, and how she wanted her older sister to help her pick out a prom dress when it was her turn. She then realizes that her sister won’t be able to. The video then cuts to a newspaper article with the headline “Local Girl Dies from Alcohol Poisoning.”
* Talia Arochas and Eden Aroshas, from Eastern Senior High School in Voorhees, created the script “Mug Shot.” The PSA depicts five teenagers, dressed in prom dresses and tuxedos, being processed at a police station after they were involved in a drunk-driving accident. Each one is seen as his or her mug shot is being taken. Each appears remorseful for the accident, saying such things as “I only had one drink” and “We could have saved their lives.”

A third public service announcement currently airing shows Attorney General Dow and twelve-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres talking about the importance of keeping children away from alcohol. The PSA, which is put out by the Century Council, highlights the need for children to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes staying away from alcohol.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases10/pr20100414a.html