We focus on reducing underage drinking and youth binge
Cobb Alcohol Taskforce is an alliance of individuals and organizations which mobilizes and challenges Cobb Count adults to reduce underage drinking and youth binge drinking by advancing strategic enforcement, policy and education goals. With your help we can reach out to more adults, parents and youth in Cobb County. Please help us mobilize for change by joining in the collective responsibility for enforcing underage drinking laws. Visit www.cobbat.org and become a "volunteer" or "friend" and together we can reduce underage and youth binge drinking throughout Cobb County.
Keywords: Alcohol, policy, social norms
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Created in 2000 under Communities in Action, changed to Underage Drinking Taskforce in 2005, rebranded in 2009 to incorporate post secondary education and address youth binge drinking on college campuses. Became a 501c3 in 2011.
What is your primary product or service?
Educating the community on the impact alcohol has on the adolescent brain, policy resource for government agencies on the best alcohol practices for their community, and building relationship with local law enforcement agencies to complete compliance checks at retail stores.
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
I had the opportunity to attend an Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws convention where I was exposed to community coalitions that were making a difference in their communities relating to youth risky behavior with alcohol. Reviewing t the Cobb County Student Health Survey in 2000 I discovered that Cobb County youth were drinking more than any other county in the State of GA.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We are the only 501c3 in Cobb County addressing underage drinking and youth binge drinking.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Only one location and there are plans to broaden our prevention landscape to include tobacco and other drugs.
Provide detailed directions to your location
We do not have a home office but have the in-kind donation of office space for Board of Director meeting at Cobb/Douglas Public Health located at 1955 Lake Park Dr.
What type of payments do you accept?
You can make a donation to our non-profit organization with PayPal through our website page
Which areas do you service?
We serve all of Cobb County - Unincorporated Cobb, Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Powder Springs, Smyrna, and Marietta City.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
We have an Executive Director, Peter Armstrong and a Board of Directors consisting of 13 members, chaired by Pat Giuliani
What are your hours of operation?
available 24/7
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
We have reduced underage drinking by 15% and youth binge drinking buy 12%. Compliance checks have increased from 65% passed to 90% passed. Social Host Ordinances have been passed in 3 municipalities and currently working with two additional cities for passage by end of 2014.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
Alcohol is not a youth problem but an adult problem with youth consequences.