SCCUDD

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SCCUDD do? 

SCCUDD works to reduce youth drug use through various activities. The coalition:

• Promotes youth leadership. 
• Educates about youth substance use and its prevention. 
• Collaborates on National Drug Take Back Day events. 
• Conducts Sticker Shock campaigns. 
• Promotes prevention and cessation resources for youth. 
• Coordinates compliance checks for alcohol retailers and promotion of safe-server training. 
• Conducts community and youth surveys. 
• Promotes family-friendly, drug-free events. 
• Collaborates with our community partners. 
• Educates about the social host law and the Tip Line. 
• And more!

How can I join SCCUDD? 

You can join SCCUDD by calling our office at 607-535-8140 or by sending us a message.

When are the meetings?

Meetings are typically the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1pm. Call us for more information about when and where the next meeting will be held.

What are the consequences of teen substance use? 

Alcohol and other drugs can hinder healthy adolescent brain development. The human brain typically continues to develop until a person is in their mid-20s, so underage drinking or other drug use can cause more severe problems for people who start using drugs at a younger age. People who start using alcohol or other drugs at a younger age are more likely to develop a substance use disorder later in life. Underage drinking and drug use can also cause physical and mental health problems and social, academic, and legal issues.

How many young people in Schuyler County drink alcohol or use other drugs? 

Substance use among Schuyler County high schoolers is steadily declining. Use of drugs among students in 9th - 12th grade has decreased across the board for the most commonly used drugs since SCCUDD first started conducting the Youth Survey in 2013: 

• Alcohol use is down 76% 
• Tobacco use is down 80% 
• Marijuana use is down 63% 
• Vaping is down 50% 
• Prescription drug misuse is down 70% 

View the most recent Schuyler County Youth Substance Use Report Card by clicking here.

How can I talk to my child about alcohol and other drugs? 

Parents are one of the main reasons young people decide not to drink. Talk to your child early and often—before they start drinking alcohol—about the consequences of underage drinking and drug use and why you disapprove. It may not seem like it, but they are listening. Check out these helpful tips from the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign: 

• Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. 
• Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. 
• Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. 
• Show you’re paying attention and you’ll discourage risky behaviors. 
• Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use.

Can adults be held liable for providing alcohol or other drugs to young people? 

If you host an underage drinking party, you could be putting your home, your savings, and/or your employment at risk! 

It is ILLEGAL to... 

• Give alcohol or other drugs to someone else’s child under the age of 21 even in your own home and even with their parents’ permission. 
• Knowingly allow teens to possess or consume alcohol or other drugs in your home and/or on your property.  
• Host a party with underage drinking or other drug use. 
• Give or sell cannabis to a person less than 21 years of age. Selling or giving cannabis to a minor could result in you being charged with a Class E felony.

Learn more about underage drinking laws in Schuyler County by clicking here. 

Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use are not legal for people below the age of 21 in New York State. 

How can I report an underage drinking party or other illegal activity? 

If you have information about underage drinking parties or other illegal activity, please call the Sheriff’s Tip Line at 607-535-8224. The information you provide will be used by Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division to help them investigate crime in the community. For emergencies, call 911.  

How can I help my staff ensure they do not sell alcohol to people under 21? Are there trainings available? 

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs (SCCUDD), and Schuyler County Public Health partner to promote a free safe server training that is available to restaurants, wineries, and other alcohol retailers. The training provides an establishment’s employees with knowledge and skills to help prevent unlawful sales of alcohol. The training is provided to businesses at no cost, and it can help lower insurance premiums. 

The Fundamentals of Alcohol Intoxication Recognition (FAIR) training teaches staff who serve alcohol: 

• How to verify that identification is legal and correct 
• How to properly check for proof of age 
• How alcohol affects the drinker 
• Customer relations 
• Ways of preventing lawsuits 
• Alternative marketing techniques

Alcohol retailers who are interested in scheduling this training for themselves or their staff should contact the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office at 607-535-8222 and ask to speak to Undersheriff Zeigler. When there are upcoming scheduled trainings, we will also promote them via our website, social media, and other methods.