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Cooperating Underage Witness Program ( CUW Program )

Dear Parents,

I wanted to take a few minutes to explain what is involved in the Cooperating Underage Witness Program. While I am sure that you have may additional questions, I wanted to address those that are most commonly asked, as well as those I as a parent myself would have if my child were considering entering the program. Please feel free to ask either my staff or me any questions that you have which are not covered in this information packet.

I cannot over emphasize the importance of this program to you and your child. A resent survey of Delaware school children reported that 3% of all fifth graders, 25% of all eight graders and 33% of all eleventh advised that they used tobacco regularly. 22% of the males and 24% of the females surveyed reported that they have purchased the tobacco themselves from a store clerk.

The report also showed that a direct link between those who used tobacco and who also abused other substances. An example would be the finding of the eleventh graders. Of those who smoked tobacco (33%), 77% also reported drinking alcohol and 52% also reported using marijuana. Of those eleventh graders who do not use tobacco (67%), only 32% reported drinking alcohol and only 12% reported using marijuana.

This program would not be possible if it were not for your child and the other children who participate in the program. Without them, our efforts to control youth access to tobacco would be useless. I doubt that there is a retailer out there who would stand up and say "yes I sell tobacco to children". However, the facts are simple. Some retailers are selling tobacco to our children.

Once again, I would thank you and you child for you cooperation. I truly believe that together we can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Bowman, Director
State of Delaware
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control