VCU, local police departments, team up to stop underage drinking
VCU police teamed up with the police departments of some of Richmond’s universities as part of a campaign to curtail the serving of alcohol to underrage sudents at parties.
Fadel Allassan
Staff Writer
VCU police teamed up with the police departments of some of Richmond’s universities as part of a campaign to curtail the serving of alcohol to underrage sudents at parties.
The campaign, which was unveiled on Sept. 3 in the compass, is titled RVA Buzzkill and is a collaborative effort of the police departments from the University of Richmond, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and Virginia Union University.The RVA BuzzKill project is funded by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health to the Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (VAHPERD).
Several media outlets were in attendance as VCU Police Chief John Venuti held a press conference, announcing the initiation of the campaign.
“The Urban Dictionary defines buzzkill as something that spoils or ruins an otherwise enjoyable event, especially when in relation to ruining a drunken or drug-induced high,” Venuti said. “The statistics involving alcohol-related incidents and college students are staggering. All of the agencies represented here today have a shared interest in combating this problem.”
The efforts will include Billboard signage on GRTC buses, radio ads, social media posts and myth/fact signs for residence halls and academic buildings. They also will put stickers, used by local businesses, on items such as pizza boxes and beverage coolers, a labeled vehicle on VCU’s campus and educational materials for students.
VAHPERD’s president, Fred Milbert, also spoke at the conference.
“Virginia’s health and physical educators are proud to support educational materials, bus and radio advertising to promote a larger effort focusing on the prevention of parental social hosting, encouraging family discussions about youth alcohol use and the prevention of high school alcohol use,” Milbert said.
More information on the campaign can be found at preventunderagedrinkingva.com/schools/buzzkill
Fadel Allassan, Staff Writer
Fadel is a sophomore print journalism major. He is fluent in English and French and enjoys writing about politics. // Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
allassanfg@commonwealthtimes.org