There is still time to register to attend OJJDP's 11th Annual National Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Leadership Conference, "Beyond Boundaries: Timely Trends and Technology," which will take place August 13–14 in Dallas, TX. Registration information is available online.

Sponsored by Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center, the conference is the premier research-based symposium on underage drinking prevention and enforcement. This year's conference will cover a broad range of topics, including technology and tools to enhance Federal, State, and local efforts; cutting-edge research and evaluation; and successful and innovative collaborations and partnerships. The conference will include guest appearances by Federal and State dignitaries, a luncheon discussion with top experts about the latest research findings on the development of the adolescent brain, general plenary sessions on lessons learned from the EUDL Leadership Institute, new research and tools for community leaders to advance EUDL work, and law enforcement experiential exercises that will instruct participants on how to conduct compliance-check and shoulder-tap operations. A youth track also is planned to hone youth skills in leadership and community action. The closing plenary will feature a youth presentation and recipients of the 2009 Success Story Awards and Rural Discretionary Recognition Awards.

Approximately 1,500 participants are expected to attend. Attendees will include law enforcement personnel, State EUDL coordinators, judges, court personnel, public officials, researchers, military officials, Federal, State, and territory partners, prevention advocates, education representatives, staff of community-based organizations, parents, and youth. In addition to offering wide-ranging and detailed information on current trends in underage drinking prevention and enforcement, the conference will provide valuable networking opportunities for professionals from across the country in various disciplines.

Registration for the EUDL conference is available through the conference Web site.

The EUDL Program

Established by OJJDP in 1998, EUDL is the only Federal initiative directed exclusively toward preventing underage drinking. The program is a $25 million initiative consisting of block grants to each State and the District of Columbia and discretionary grants to selected States to fund the best and most promising activities and research at the local level while seeking cutting-edge strategies to expand knowledge and positive outcomes. In fiscal year 2008, OJJDP allocated $350,000 in EUDL block grants to each State, territory, and the District of Columbia and funded EUDL discretionary programs in Illinois, Nevada, and South Carolina. The discretionary programs focus on reducing underage drinking on college and university campuses that are partnered with adjacent communities. Block grants support statewide task forces of State and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to target establishments suspected of a pattern of violations of State laws governing the sale and consumption of alcohol by minors. The grants also support public advertising programs to educate establishments about statutory prohibitions and sanctions. Innovative programs to prevent and combat underage drinking are encouraged.

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For more information about OJJDP's EUDL program, please visit the Web page.