25th Annual Underage Alcohol and Drug Awards

Salisbury, Md. – The 25th Annual Underage Alcohol and Drug Awards saw a packed room at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office honoring several members of the community for outstanding commitment to reducing underage drinking, tobacco, and other drug use in Wicomico County last year.

Hosted by the Wicomico Health Department, officials said the event is about honoring collaboration across the community to keep alcohol and tobacco products out of the hands of minors.

“We recognize not just law enforcement. We also recognize, entities like pharmacies and convenience stores to making sure that they’re doing the correct, the right work and protecting our youth,” Wicomico County Health Officer ​Matthew McConaughey said.

For Sheriff Mike Lewis, the event was about taking time to appreciate the achievements of law enforcement officers who work with the community to keep the county safe.

“I’m just thrilled to see that we have a complete full house. There’s not an empty seat in the house. And to be able to give back to them for all the hard work they do for the citizens of Wicomico County,” Lewis said.

Shannon Webster, an administrative officer and office supervisor for the health department, said keeping county residents safe is a result of the community.

“This is all 100% community. All the Wicomico County community, all the collaboration, all the partners that make everything possible,” she said. “There’s so much behind the scenes that goes on. A lot of the officers that are out here, you know, sometimes they’re underappreciated for the work they do.”

One of the award recipients, restaurant owner Joseph Bellia, said the award represents the ongoing collaboration between residents and law enforcement.

He says that, though people sometimes try to use fake IDs to get access to alcohol, his training allows him to keep them, as well as his establishment, safe.

“It’s very important that you don’t serve underserve or overserve someone who is not 21, because of the consequences for them as well as yourself,” he said.

Officials said police officers sometimes go undercover to see whether establishments will serve them without presenting a valid ID.