9-19-15 fdl county public health department-opinion pedal pubs

Despite a summer long effort to ban alcohol on quadricycles/pedal pubs the Fond du Lac City Council at its Wednesday, September 9, 2015 meeting voted to allow alcohol consumption for this new alcohol venue.  The eight agencies, coalitions and organizations who advocated throughout the summer in favor of banning alcohol on quadricycles/pedal pubs will continue to work toward changing the culture of alcohol of Fond du Lac County.  We ask that you join us in this effort.
 

• The 2014 Community Health Assessment reported excessive alcohol consumption is one of Fond du Lac County’s (and Wisconsin’s) biggest public health concerns. The 2014 Fond du Lac County Community Health Survey showed that 42% of participants binge-drank in the past 30 days.  This is almost double the rate in Wisconsin (23%) and two and a half times the national rate (17%).

• The 2015 Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) youth survey held each year for grades 8^th, 10^th and 11^th in Fond du Lac County schools asks the question What do you think our community (the city and surrounding area) is saying about alcohol use by people your own age in the ways these products are advertised, promoted and sold? Twenty-five percent of youth said the community is actively promoting alcohol use by people their age.

 
Much of Fond du Lac’s social infrastructure revolves around the use of alcohol.  It is time to stop normalizing alcohol for Fond du Lac youth and residents.  Drug Free Communities (DFC) of Fond du Lac County will continue its work with all of its partners to implement best practices for alcohol consumption.  This includes but is not limited to:

• Compliance Checks
• Social Host Ordinances
• Community Event Best Practices
  • Wristbanding at community festivals/Fond du Lac County Fair
• Social Marketing/Binge Drinking campaign
• Alcohol Outlet Density
• College and Universities, Binge drinking and compliance checks
• Students Taking Action Against Negative Decisions (STAAND)
  • Driver Been Drinking: Refuse the Ride

Volunteers are always welcome.  If you would like to become involved please contact DFC at 920 906-6700 Ext 4704.  Follow DFC on Facebook or Twitter.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Mueller RN, MSN
Health Officer
Fond du Lac County Health Department