City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness and understanding of how alcohol use and misuse impact our community. Alcohol -related problems take a heavy toll on individuals of all ages and families. This month serves as a call to action to prevent drinking and driving—because these tragedies are preventable and should never happen; and
WHEREAS, alcohol-related problems continue to take a significant toll, with resear chers estimating more than 178,000 alcohol -related deaths each year, making alcohol a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Alcohol is a major factor in the deaths of people under the age of 21, with the Centers for Disease Control and P revention (CDC) reporting that excessive drinking leads to more than 3,900 deaths and 225,000 years of potential life lost among young people annually; and
WHEREAS, youth who begin drinking before age 15 are six times more likely to develop alcohol dependence or misuse later in life compared to those who start drinking at or after age 21, impaired driving remains a significant public safety concern, with an average of 28 people killed every day due to drunk driving and two out of three people impacted by impaired driving in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Traffic Safety’s 2022 report states there were 489 DUI arrests, 95 alcohol-involved victims injured or killed, and 7 underage drinking victims killed or injured in our community; and
WHEREAS, local youth data highlights the need for continued education and prevention, with 5 percent of 7th and 9th grad ers, 9 percent of 11th graders, and 19 percent of non-traditional students reporting past 30-day alcohol use, and a concerning percentage of stud ents indicating there is little or no harm in occasional drinking . Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley Coalition plays a critical role in addressing alcohol -related issues by increasing awareness, promoting prevention, and encouraging responsible choices to ensure a healthier and safer community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria hereby proclaim April 2025 as:
“ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH”
in the City of Santa Maria and encourage all residents to join in the effort t o prevent alcohol misuse and promote healthy choices for a stronger community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 15th day of April 2025.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor