The History of ERASE, Inc.
ERASE (East of the River Action for Substance-Abuse Elimination, Inc.) is one of 14 Regional Action Councils (RACs), established by state legislation, passed in 1989, to assess substance abuse needs and plan to fill gaps in services. ERASE was incorporated as a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization in 1990.
Selected Accomplishments:
ERASE designed Right Steps©, a program that educates adults on the importance of being positive role models to our youth. It also increases their awareness of the influence that advertising in sports has on young people in regards to smoking, drinking, and gambling. The “Hooked on Sports”© video, which focuses on advertising in sports, is used in many other presentations by ERASE staff. Right Steps© has been utilized by Connecticut youth coaches, park and recreation leaders, health teachers, youth serving agencies, church groups, boy/girl scout leaders and more. Lastly, the program was endorsed by the Connecticut and National Offices of National Youth Sport Coaches’ Association and the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association.
ERASE was instrumental in the development and passage of the1999 Glastonbury model Social Host ordinance on possession of alcohol by minors on private property, which allows local police to intervene in underage drinking in homes.
Since then, House Party Law, Public Act 06-112, was put in effect state-wide on October 1, 2006. The house party law makes it illegal for youth to possess alcohol on private property, unless accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Under the “house party” statute, minors are subject to fines while adults –anyone from friends to siblings to parents - who permit minors to drink at their home, would with or without parental permission. This law reduces easy access to alcohol by youth and holds teens and adults accountable for their behavior. Finally, this law reinforces a consistent message that underage drinking is unhealthy, unsafe, and unacceptable.
Financial Support:
Funding for ERASE is provided by: