GREENVILLE, N.C. — (AP) — A new task force announced by Gov. Pat McCrory will try to reduce underage drinking and substance abuse in North Carolina.
McCrory signed an executive order Tuesday creating the Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Prevention and Treatment Task Force at East Carolina University in Greenville.
According to the governor's office. ECU is one of six state universities participating in a pilot program which will focus on prevention, treatment and enforcement.
McCrory said substance abuse often starts in a person's youth, which is why the state is targeting its efforts on early intervention and treatment.
The taskforce will include members from multiple state agencies, including the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and the UNC system and build on past efforts to crack down on businesses that sell alcohol illegally.