The best way to address a problem is to meet it head on.

Five years ago, Gates County was identified as one of 18 counties in the state with a high number of alcohol related car crashes and deaths per capita, including underage youth. As a result, community members have been adamant about making a change and the local Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) stores are providing an example of how serious Gates County is about saving lives. They have become champions for responsible selling and curbing alcohol access to minors.

Local surveys indicated that a number of youth obtain alcohol in their homes without their parents’ consent. In response, Gates County Community Advisory Panel members of the underage drinking project are concerned about keeping children safe and alcohol free. They are providing individual liquor locks that adults can use on individual bottles.

Purchasing the liquor locks proved easy, but distributing them was a challenge, until local ABC Chairman G.P. Kittrell Jr. and ABC General Manager Mark Goodman agreed to partner with, Uplift, a local substance abuse prevention provider.

“We are excited to show our support for selling alcohol responsibly,” said Goodman. “This is a community issue and we support keeping our underage minors alcohol free and safe.”

A special promotion to distribute liquor locks and educational materials for parents about keeping their children alcohol free will take place from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, June 18 at both ABC locations in Gates County – 140 US Hwy. 13 South, Eure and 730 NC Hwy. 32 in Corapeake.

This event is sponsored by Uplift, a nonprofit substance abuse prevention provider for East Carolina Behavioral Health through a grant from Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant.

For additional information please contact Tiffanie Watford, Uplift Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at (252) 357-3360.