STATEHOUSE (March 4, 2013) — The Century Council recently honored State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) with its 2012 Leadership Award for his efforts to combat underage drinking and save young lives in Indiana. He was one of 17 legislators nationwide to be recognized.

In 2012, Merritt authored Indiana’s “Lifeline Law” to encourage young Hoosiers to call for help in the case of a medical emergency related to alcohol abuse and underage drinking. Senate Enrolled Act 274 provides immunity for young people who are intoxicated but call law enforcement to aid their friends in such situations. Merritt said the measure encourages more teens to make the call to save a life while also increasing awareness about the dangers of underage drinking.

“At its core, the Lifeline Law is about saving young peoples’ lives,” Merritt said. “But it has also fostered a discussion that’s otherwise hard to bring up with young Hoosiers: What are the dangers of underage drinking and alcohol abuse? I’ve travelled to both high school and college campuses to talk about this topic with students statewide — which is only fitting, as IU and Purdue students brought me the idea for this legislation.”

Merritt has a long-standing tradition of fighting against drug and alcohol abuse in Hoosier communities. This legislative session, he authored Senate Bill 168, to bolster law enforcement’s ability to test for intoxication, and Senate Bill 536, to provide officers and prosecutors with more tools to crack down on dangerous synthetic drugs. Both bills passed the Senate and now await consideration in the House of Representatives.

“Like any parent, I want to help protect my children and our communities from unnecessary dangers,” Merritt said. “These proposals are ways, I believe, we can accomplish that goal.”

The Century Council is a national advisory board created in 1991 to fight drunk driving and underage drinking. For more information on the 2012 Leadership Award recipients, click here.

 
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