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October 24, 2003/Tishri 28 5764, Vol. 56, No. 5
Children a priority for leader
JODI LIEBERMAN
Special to Jewish News
It's a common fear for parents - a late-night phone call with the news that their child has been involved in a drunk-driving accident.
But Leesa Berens Morrison, director of the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control and the mother of three daughters, is on a mission to educate young people about the dangers of underage alcohol consumption - particularly drinking and driving by high school students.
According to Morrison, the department's main goal "is to stop it before it starts" through education. Morrison says statistics report that middle school is the most beneficial time to begin educating children on the dangers of drinking. Morrison and her staff have begun composing a program for this age group - a program that will take close to a year to get off the ground. The help and support of the liquor industry in developing the program has been "invaluable," says Morrison.
Currently the department offers to go into schools and run programs themselves; however, Morrison would like to see a package that can be distributed and put on by the schools throughout Arizona. The department is currently working with the chiefs of police for the 17 Indian tribes and all other law enforcement agencies in hopes of setting up this program within each school district.
A program is also being developed on the consequences of underage drinking for college students, in part to advise students about the consequences to being caught drinking under the legal age of 21.
"This felony charge will remain on their record, which is something most students are not aware of," says Morrison.
Many students come from other states, each that has different laws pertaining to underage drinking.
"Being 18 and on your own for the first time one doesn't think about the consequences to their actions, especially when they do not even know what they are," Morrison explains.
By working in conjunction with the universities, Morrison hopes to make it known through education how a felony charge can impact college students' futures. Morrison feels it is incumbent on her department to "get the word out through the Greek system, through student health services, through any avenue that we can pursue" so students can be aware of the seriousness of underage drinking.
After accepting the position of director of Liquor Licenses and Control in January 2003, Morrison made a commitment to make children and education a priority. These priorities stem from the focus of Governor Janet Napoli-tano's campaign and the work Napolitano has done in the nine months since she has taken office.
"Children are number one to (Napolitano) and I am following her lead," Morrison explained.
Morrison was appointed by Napolitano to become the first woman to hold the position of director of Liquor Licenses and Control. Morrison is currently a member of the AZ Women's Lawyers Association and the University of Arizona College of Law Board of Directors, of which she has been a part of since 1985.
Additionally, the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Arizona selected Morrison to represent Arizona in the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association.
Morrison has made protecting and educating children and young adults a priority throughout her career. From June 1999 until being appointed to her current position, Morrison worked as assistant attorney general, chief of the School Fraud Unit. In this position she was able to build cases and prosecute the misuse of money at public and charter schools.
A single mother of three girls, Bonnee, 15, Aimee, 12, and Julee, 10. Morrison has belonged to Temple Beth Israel for many years. Morrison is an active member of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center.
When asked what she is most proud of, Morrison says, "My girls. They're great girls and we have a wonderful time together."
When asked what influences, if any, helped her achieve all she has and made her who she is Morrison smiled and laughed as she said "A Jewish mother."
And what does Morrison want to instill in her girls?
"I tried to raise my children in the same or similar way in that they are well rounded, they participate in something academic and something social ... so with the limited time that we all have, trying to balance their lives, that is really my goal."
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