Reading, PA (June 7, 2021) – The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers has recently partnered with the Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) to expand its campaign to prevent drunk and impaired driving in Berks County, PA.

The HERO Campaign, established in memory of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, promotes its message of safe and sober designated driving in partnership with prevention agencies, high schools, colleges, law enforcement, bars and taverns and professional sports teams.

“We’re excited to join forces with the Council on Chemical Abuse to bring our safety message: ‘Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.’ to Berks County,” said HERO Campaign Chairman, Bill Elliott. “We look forward to having bar and tavern owners in Berks County join us and COCA in our mutual efforts to save lives by preventing drunk and impaired driving.”

The Council on Chemical Abuse is inviting Berks County bars and restaurants to join the effort as Berks County HERO Establishments. Participating establishments agree to promote the HERO Campaign and serve free soft drinks, coffee or other non-alcoholic beverages to non-drinking designated drivers. Participating establishments also display HERO posters, brochures and window decals provided by the campaign.

Interested bar and tavern owners can register for the program online at Cocaberks.org/berks-hero-campaign. COCA has already recruited several Berks County restaurants and bars to kick off the Berks County designated driver campaign, including All American Sports Bar, Brewer’s Bar & Grill, G.N.A. Ristorante & Pizzeria, Go Fish! Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Nonno Alby’s Wood Oven Pizza, Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese, Tinos Pizzeria & Bar, and The Ugly Oyster.

“We are excited to support the HERO campaign in Berks County, said Paige Carroll, COCA Prevention Specialist and Berks HERO Campaign Contact. “We encourage families and friends to take the HERO Pledge in hopes to rotate who will be the designated driver on particular evenings. These efforts are on-going, and this is not a single event. We appreciate the HERO Establishments that have already registered in Berks County!”

The HERO Campaign was established by the family of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, who was killed in a July 2000 collision with a drunk driver two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. The Campaign is now saving lives in seven states in partnership with law enforcement; schools and colleges; federal and state highway safety organizations; the licensed beverage industry; professional sports teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Football Giants, the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution; Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby; and Keeneland Race Course, home of the 2015 Breeder’s Cup. Since its inception in 2000, the HERO Campaign has grown into a major movement to prevent impaired driving that has received national recognition and awards. It has also helped to reduce alcohol-related fatalities and incidents, including a 35 percent reduction in DUI fatalities in New Jersey and other states over the past decade. For more information visit HEROcampaign.org or call 609-626-3880.

About the Council on Chemical Abuse
The Council on Chemical Abuse, known as COCA, provides Berks County, PA with leadership and assistance in preventing substance use, and promoting treatment and recovery from addiction. Established as a non-profit in 1971, COCA is designated by the County Commissioners as the Single County Authority (SCA) for Berks County, PA. COCA serves as the coordinating agency for publicly supported drug and alcohol programming, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors reflective of the local community.