Letter from the President of CARE
The mission of CARE is to create, maintain, and assess an educational partnership between institutions of higher education, local governments, local law enforcement, retailers and community organizations of the Brazos Valley to foster responsible decision-making in the use of alcoholic beverages.
The Bryan/College Station Coalition for Alcohol Responsibility and Education (CARE) wants to partner with you to keep the upcoming graduation season on both the high school and college scenes safe and filled with joy.
One way is to practice responsibility wherever alcohol is served, especially when it is illegal. Springboarding from "Alcohol Awareness Month" throughout April nationwide, please join us in raising the consciousness in our community about the possible negative consequences of abuse of alcohol consumption and laws.
CARE opens the door for you to vast resources that are as near as your telephone to become enlightened on what is legal, what liabilities lie with whom in serving alcohol, and crisis intervention in severe situations.
Our coalition's board of directors consists of concerned individuals throughout the Brazos Valley that includes several departments at Texas A&M University, every arm of law enforcement, the Texas Alcohol Control Bureau (TABC), organizations that provide counseling, shelter and advocacy, and distributors and retailers of alcoholic beverages.
CARE provides any information you need, and guides you to events and services that keep the community abreast of everything pertaining to responsibility in any situation involving alcohol.
Two of the most targeted points of concern in a University setting are under-age drinking and the laws governing public drunkenness, driving under the influence, and liability issues related to those situations. This can affect persons serving alcohol, staging a party, or, in some cases, even simply being with somebody who is breaking the law even if you are not drinking.
The outreach of CARE extends far beyond that, too. Basically, we just want to be there for you to help, whether that is providing information or showing the way to personal services.
As graduation time and its related activities, such as proms and parties, approach please lock arms with us in raising awareness wherever alcohol is served. Start by using common sense. Assign a designated driver. Make sure everybody is of legal age. Avoid drinking in excess, or tolerating it with others. Never combine drinking and driving – the most deadly weapon in America.
Have fun and remain safe. Call if we can help.
Thank you,
Michael McKenzie, TAMU Department of Athletics
President, CARE