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U Booze U Looze

In the fall of 2006, Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) Vice-Chair Ashley Morgan shared with the other LYAC members her concern about the impacts of underage drinking. She had recently attended a meeting on underage drinking & the media (along with the Attorney General) where she gained information on that subject, and she asked the group if they might be interested in addressing underage drinking. Brainstorming began amongst the members, as well as meetings with the Attorney General’s Office, Healthy Androscoggin, a Lewiston High School Substance Abuse Counselor, a Lewiston Middle School Principal, and a Lewiston Middle School Health Teacher. The middle school was brought into the discussions, as LYAC was concerned upon learning that transitional times are often ones when youth turn to alcohol, such as when 8^th graders transition into high school.

LYAC had worked with local businessman Nick Knowlton last year when they nominated the City of Lewiston as a 2006 All-America City, and they invited him to be part of their UBUL discussions considering his graphic design abilities. The UBUL logo was developed by Knowlton, and the initiative is particularly dear to his heart due to losing his nephew to a drunk driver.

LYAC proceeded to film their own “Thoughts About Underage Drinking” video using public access Great Falls TV equipment. They interviewed adults and youth throughout the community, to include local teens, Nick Knowlton, a recovering alcoholic, a funeral director, a police officer, and a city councilor.

LYAC launched the youth-to-youth U BOOZE U LOOZE initiative at a February 12, 2007, press conference at Lewiston City Hall with special guest Attorney General Steven Rowe; their video was also debuted on that date.
Teens talking to teens about drinking, Sun Journal, February 13, 2007
Youth Council launches "U Booze U Looze", Twin City Times, February 15, 2007

On February 12 & 13, 2007, members of LYAC spoke to five eighth-grade health classes at Lewiston Middle School & have asked them to make their own UBUL videos for review by LYAC and recognition of the top three videos. Those videos are anticipated to be received by LYAC within the near future.

LYAC was also asked to speak at the March 6, 2007, State Capitol press conference in response to the US Surgeon General’s “Call to Action” to reduce and prevent underage drinking. LYAC members joined Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci and Maine’s Public Safety Director Dora Mills at the press event.
2 city teens spread word: Don't drink, Sun Journal, March 7, 2007
Project Unite! targets underage drinking, Twin City Times, March 15, 2007

LYAC is hoping that with more & more exposure “U BOOZE YOU LOOZE” will become the mind set of numerous teens to stand against pressures to drink. LYAC spoke briefly at a March 29, 2007 “Youth to Youth Road Show” Summit held at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College, and manned a UBUL booth at that event. Youth from all over Maine were in attendance. On March 30, they lead a workshop at a KIDS Consortium youth summit at the University of Maine – Gorham which was attended by youth from throughout Maine & New England. LYAC distributed their UBUL pens & key chains during those summits.

In addition, the Montel Williams Show has shown an interest in UBUL, and LYAC will be launching shortly (still under construction) a UBUL web site for youth to visit & possibly “sign on” to the UBUL initiative. LYAC will continue to keep the Attorney General’s Office informed about their efforts.

UBUL will always be an off-shoot of LYAC – LYAC will be known as the founder and supporter; however, it will hopefully grow in nature through other organizations’ support – perhaps financially. A local business, Advanced Microsystems, for instance, has come on board to financially sponsor the UBUL web site.

LYAC was established by the Lewiston City Council in 2001 following review of youth councils in Portland, Maine; Torrance, California; and Boston, Massachusetts. A community forum was also held to discuss the youth council idea. With community support evident, a St. Dom’s high school student and Bates College intern developed by-laws to launch the concept, understanding the charter group could modify them. An application process was publicized, school presentations made, interviews and orientation held, and LYAC first met in September 2002.