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Government agencies, educators, prosecutors, law enforcement, children’s advocacy groups, juvenile court officials, medical professionals, social workers, counselors and many others who fight to protect and help keep alcohol and other drugs out of the hands of Alabama’s youth will be meeting in Montgomery to discuss trends, strategies and long-term solutions to the problems of underage drinking and substance abuse. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will host the second youth conference, called the “Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit” or “Alabama SAYS”, at the Church of the Highlands – Montgomery Campus, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

“Our children are under attack by makers, growers, dealers and marketers of illegal drugs, including alcohol, and it must stop,” said Alabama ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson. “Thanks to the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association, our partners and staff, this summit will bring together every group, organization, and agency in our state that works tirelessly to protect children. I’m confident that through these discussions and by working together, we will better address and can ultimately end youth substance abuse. 

In addition to discussions, attendees will hear from several subject matter experts, including Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey; Autauga County District Court Judge Joy Booth; Dr. Timothy Naimi, a physician and alcohol epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center; Dr. Jim Harrow, Medical Director of the Baptist Center for Addiction Recovery; Cassandra Tourre, National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association; Christine Carr, CRNA at University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center; and Mike Reese, Alabama ABC Board.

The second Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit (SAYS) is being made possible through a grant from the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association and by the support and assistance of representatives of the Alabama ABC Board, Alabama Department of Education, Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Department of Transportation, Baldwin County Drug Education Council, Covington County Children’s Policy Council, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Alabama, Shelby County Juvenile Court, and Turning Point Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Tuscaloosa. Attendance is free and participants are eligible for Continuing Education Units and Continuing Legal Education Credits.

To register for the Alabama Substance Abuse Youth Summit, visit www.alabcboard.gov/alabama-says, click on the registration bar at the bottom, fill out the registration form, and hit “Submit”. Attendance is limited to the first 350 registrants.