Stevens Point Police Department

"Whenever we describe the face of crime throughout Portage County, one key element is always highlighted. That element is alcohol and drug abuse. Starting in 2005, Portage Countylaw enforcement in partnership with the AODA Coalition initiated a program of regular checks of all licensed establishments in the County that sell alcoholic beverages. The checks involve the use of youth under the age of 21 who, under the supervision of adult volunteers and law enforcement officers, enter a licensed establishment and attempt to purchase an alcoholic beverage. The program has proven very successful in identifying those establishments that regularly comply with the law and unfortunately those that do not."

- Jeff Morris

Police Chief, Stevens Point Police Department

Portage County Sheriff Department

"The number of people killed or injured in alcohol-related crashes in Portage County from 1990 to 2004 is 1,1445, including 75 dead and 1370 injured. This nearly matches the populations of Amherst, Amherst Junction, and Nelsonville added together. When we include the figures from 2005, the number will be higher than the population of those three villages."

- John Charewicz,

Portage County Sheriff, Coalition Member