From Maryann.Gotreau at maine.gov Mon Jun 9 07:46:08 2008 From: Maryann.Gotreau at maine.gov (Gotreau, Maryann) Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 07:46:08 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] Maine Youth Suicide Training Brochure Message-ID: The 2008-2009 Suicide Prevention Training brochure has come out! Check it out at: http://www.mcd.org/suicide.asp (You'll find the link at the bottom of this page) Maryann Gotreau, MPPM Prevention Specialist Office of Substance Abuse 41 Anthony Ave 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 www.maineosa.org Phone: (207) 287-5713 TTY: 1-800-606-0215 Fax: (207) 287-8910 Email: Maryann.Gotreau at maine.gov The Office of Substance Abuse has moved to 41 Anthony Ave (see http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/about/maps.htm for directions). Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. From Anne.Rogers at maine.gov Mon Jun 9 09:34:10 2008 From: Anne.Rogers at maine.gov (Rogers, Anne) Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 09:34:10 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] Substance Abuse Funding, News, & Events Message-ID: Dear Prevention Colleagues, Below is the substance abuse prevention funding and news. The source of this information is noted in each section. Please follow up with contact information found associated with each article or go to the sites listed below. If you wish to post information that you believe would be pertinent to your prevention colleagues please forward that information to me at Anne.Rogers at maine.gov for review and possible posting. Search the New and Improved Maine Prevention Calendar for upcoming trainings, conferences, and workshops (you can also submit statewide and regional events for posting): www.mainepreventioncalendar.org ------------------------------------------------------ Mattel Children's Foundation -- Domestic Grantmaking Program Application Deadline: July 15, 2008 Description: Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation are pleased to continue the Domestic Grantmaking Program. Through this effort, unsolicited applications for funds for organizations benefiting children in the United States are accepted. Funding Amount: Charitable organizations demonstrating that they directly serve children may be eligible for grants of between $5,000 and $25,000. Funds may be applied to programs or general operating costs. Who May Apply: Organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities may apply. If an organization is a project under a fiscal sponsor, that sponsor must have valid tax-exempt status. Organizations must serve children in communities within the United States. Organizations must not discriminate against a person or a group on the basis of age, political affiliation, race, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. For more information, go to: http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/ci_mcf_philanthropy_grantmak ing.asp --------------------------------------------------------- Washington Post Editorial Mr. O'Malley Goes to Mush Bowing to the liquor industry, the governor perpetuates the 'alcopop' craze. Saturday, May 24, 2008; Page A20 MARYLAND Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) did the easy thing this week by signing legislation that increases the fines for adults who serve or procure liquor for teenagers. But he ducked a harder, and probably more effective, measure to combat underage drinking in the face of fierce opposition from one of Maryland's most free-spending and influential lobbies: the liquor industry. For the full article, go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/23/AR200805 2302590.html --------------------------------------------- California: State lawmakers ponder requiring ignition interlocks for drunk-driving offenders The devices currently are installed by court order. Alcohol trade groups say they're an invasion of privacy. Los Angeles Times Staff Writer May 24, 2008 Should convicted drunk drivers be forced to pass an alcohol breath test before starting their cars? Should everyone? For more than 20 years, special breathalyzers -- hard-wired to a car's ignition to prevent the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected -- have been installed under judicial order in the cars of repeat, or especially egregious, alcohol offenders. But in the last few years, six states have passed laws that require the devices, called ignition interlocks, in the cars of everyone convicted of driving under the influence. Now, several more states, including California, are considering making interlocks mandatory for all offenders. A bill could pass the state Assembly next week. And a group of automakers has launched a major project with the federal government to develop advanced technologies that could someday make alcohol detectors a standard feature in all cars. Advocates of interlocks, particularly Mothers Against Drunk Driving, say the devices could reduce the nation's estimated 17,000 annual alcohol-related automotive fatalities, and thereby ease the burden that drunk driving places on the nation's criminal justice system. "We would like to have all 50 states applying it for all convicted drunk drivers," said MADD Chief Executive Chuck Hurley. He said there had been no significant drop in alcohol-related fatalities in more than a decade. "This is the best way of keeping alcohol off the road." From Anne.Rogers at maine.gov Thu Jun 12 08:15:43 2008 From: Anne.Rogers at maine.gov (Rogers, Anne) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:15:43 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] News and events Message-ID: Science Helping Parents Confront Youth Drug Use and Abuse: New Web Resource Helps Parents Grasp Teen Behavior and Connect with their Kids Partnership for a Drug Free America Fostering the parent-teen connection just got easier with release of "A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain," a digital, science-based resource for parents that explains adolescent brain processes and offers tips for communicating and helping teens make good decisions. Available now at the web site of the Partnership for a Drug Free America, www.drugfree.org/teenbrain , "A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain" brings to life research showing that the brain is not fully developed until about age 25. With video, humorous interactive segments, role-playing and advice from experts, parents learn that ongoing brain development contributes to the vexing teen behaviors that confound and often put parents off - impulsiveness, rebellion, high emotions, questionable judgment and risk-taking. The resource also includes tips to help parents establish (or re-create) the parent-teen relationship so essential to guiding teens through any one of the number of challenges they face, alcohol and drug temptations included. Most Binge Drinking Takes Place in Public, Involves Beer June 10, 2008 About half of all binge drinking takes place in public and in large groups, increasing the risk of injury, according to researchers from the U.S. CDC . Beer is the drink of choice in two-thirds of binge-drinking episodes, said CDC epidemiologist Timothy Naimi, M.D., and alcohol typically is easily available at such events, even to underage drinkers. "Overall, 12 percent of binge drinkers reported driving during or soon after binge drinking, meaning they were risking injury or death not only for themselves but also their passengers, other drivers and pedestrians," said Naimi. Naimi reported the results of his research at a meeting of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. For the full story: http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_9500457 ---------------------------------------- Beer Makers Increasingly Turning to Viral Ads 09 June 2008 Anheuser-Busch is generating lots of buzz with an ad equal parts bawdy and hilarious, but you won't see it on television, and it barely mentions the beer it's advertising. Dubbed "Swear Jar," the too-risque-for-TV ad debuted on the Internet in 2007. A minute long, it begins with an office worker asking about a jar at the reception desk. It's a "swear jar," he's told: Anyone who swears puts in a quarter. The expletives fly when workers learn the money will be used to buy a case of Bud Light (the roughly 17 bad words are bleeped out). It's part of a fast-growing growing trend, now increasingly embraced by beer makers and other mainstream marketers. Known as viral ads, such Web-only spots have become YouTube staples and show up in social networking pages, get e-mailed between friends and co-workers, though whether they generate sales remains an open question. Viral ads have the freedom to run as long or short as they want -- no 30- or 60-second constraints. They can cross boundaries even cable TV respects, and they focus on entertainment as much selling the product. Some are shot -- or made to look like they're shot -- with hand-held cameras, just like the most of the rest of the videos in those Web venues. Nation's High School Students Showing Overall Improvements in Health-Related Behaviors June 5 The latest National Youth Risk Behavior Survey released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows "overall improvement in health-related behaviors" including underage drinking. According to the attached CDC chart, the percent of teens who reported having at least one drink of alcohol during the past 30 days has dropped from 50% in 1999 to 44.7% in 2007. Additionally, the chart shows that episodic heavy drinking among teens has declined from 31.5% in 1999 to 26% in 2007. For more information http://www.cdc.gov/print.do?url=http%3A//www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008 /r080604.htm Idaho: Idaho targets fetal alcohol syndrome with warning stickers June 3 Idaho state Rep. Liz Chavez tried unsuccessfully for two years to get legislation passed to warn about the risks of fetal alcohol syndrome wherever liquor is sold in Idaho, but now it's happening anyway. For the full story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/399134.html -------------- Delaware: DE State Treasurer Looks At Open Container Law 6/4/2008 It may soon be illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle in Delaware. State Treasurer Jack Markell is calling for new legislation. Studies show states enacting an open-container ban have seen at least five less fatal accidents and fewer hit and runs. Currently, 41 states have legislation in place that bans open alcohol containers in vehicles. ----------------------------- Law sobering for parents Adults face jail, fine for alcohol parties June 8, 2008 Fire up the grill. Crank up the tunes. Tap a keg. That time-honored party formula has become as much a part of commencement as "Pomp and Circumstance." But in the first graduation season since a new law toughened penalties for parents who knowingly permit underage drinking in their homes, many officials say there's still too much hypocrisy about providing alcohol to minors, treating it as a rite of passage rather than a criminal offense. "You'd be surprised how many parents think it's OK," said Stacy Vermylem of LEAD, a Lake Forest-based nonprofit parent group. "We're trying to raise awareness that a bad decision at graduation can change your life forever . . . and put your entire family at risk." For the full story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-underage_08_bdjun08,0 ,3301324.story -------------- From odelle at acompanyofgirls.org Tue Jun 17 14:37:23 2008 From: odelle at acompanyofgirls.org (Odelle Bowman) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:37:23 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] Shimshai Fundraiser A Company of Girls Message-ID: <006901c8d0a9$6d8d5b10$810a2718@D2S30CB1> Benefit for A Company of Girls 7:00PM-10:00PM When: Thursday, June 19, 2008 Where: A Company of Girls/Open Heart Space, 48 Moody St. Portland Cost: $ 20-23 (children under 10 free) Category: Benefits Description: Shimshai Will take place in the old Adam's school Gym. Bring your own cushion. Below is a description of Shimshai's style. Whether singing the ancient Sanskrit mantras of India, the traditional folklore songs of South America, or performing his original works of divine inspiration, Shimshai's music invokes a sentiment of ancestral devotion and a dedication to higher consciousness. A self-proclaimed seeker of truth, described by many as possessing the voice of an angel, Shimshai is gifted with the innate ability to deliver his message flawlessly in several languages; most profoundly the universal language of Love and Oneness. to listen to shimshai go to www.shimshai.com Event Posted 2008-06-03 For more information: Lisa 207-780-0738 From Anne.Rogers at maine.gov Mon Jun 23 09:58:52 2008 From: Anne.Rogers at maine.gov (Rogers, Anne) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:58:52 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] FW: Alcohol News Message-ID: RADIO AD LAUNCHES ASSAILING DELAWARE ALCOHOL TAX PROPOSAL Source: DISCUS Jun 20th The Distilled Spirits Council today launched a radio ad across Delaware assailing a proposed 50% alcohol tax increase on beer, wine and spirits. The ad points to the hypocrisy of legislators spending millions of dollars toward boosting tourism, while at the same time proposing devastating taxes on tourism-related businesses and their workers. "The Legislature is trying to quietly sail through a massive alcohol tax hike that is going to hurt consumers and businesses alike," said Distilled Spirits Council Vice President Jay Hibbard. "This ad gets the word out that this tax increase will cost hundreds of jobs in the hospitality industry among those least able to afford it." A recent Council economic analysis found that a 50% spirits tax increase would lead to a decline in state economic output of more than $22 million and destroy 330 hospitality sector jobs. In 1997, state legislators took the opposite approach and actually grew Delaware's economy by decreasing the spirits tax rate. By cutting the tax rate, the Legislature generated more business and ultimately created 200 jobs. Hibbard noted that this 50% tax hike will have a ripple effect throughout the state's already struggling hospitality and tourism industry. "This tax increase will create a domino effect in the hospitality industry resulting in lost jobs and businesses throughout the state among hospitality workers such as waiters, waitresses, bartenders and other hospitality employees," Hibbard said. -------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Court Rules for Alcohol Ads in College Papers Published: June 19, 2008 6:02 PM ET In a ruling Thursday, the U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia in Richmond said that it was unconstitutional to ban "alcohol-related" advertisements in college publications. The ruling is expected to give student editors more power in deciding what does and does not go into their newspapers. In an 11-page permanent injunction, Magistrate M. Hannah Lauck restated her initial ruling, made on March 31, which said that two regulations enforced by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (Virginia ABC) -- which prevented the printing and selling of alcohol-related advertisements -- violated the First Amendment. The suit had originally been brought by Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech Inc., the parent company of the Collegiate Times, the independent, student-run Virginia Tech paper. They were joined in the suit by The Cavalier Daily, the student newspaper at the University of Virginia. "Educational Media is glad to have the ruling upheld and enforced," said Kelly Wolff, general manager of that company, to the Collegiate Times. The Virginia ABC had appealed the March 31 ruling, meaning that the college publishers still could not sell or print alcohol advertising. Magistrate Lauck issued today's permanent injunction in response to that appeal. --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Zealand: Liberalising the liquor laws was like opening Pandora's Box Monday, 23 June 2008 Source: Gisborne Herald Don't mess with our drinking habits . . . this message came through loud and clear from a number of readers last week. But we are sure they were mostly joking! They haven't managed to change our thinking that the introduction of legislation in Parliament to restrict the number of outlets selling alcohol is really a belated acknowledgment of past blunders in liberalising the liquor laws. And it is not necessarily a solution to the scourge of booze-related violent crime in today's society. It's prime purpose is certainly worthwhile . . . requiring local authorities to consider the density of liquor outlets and their social impact before granting a licence. But Prime Minister Helen Clark admits this is only one facet of the proliferating problem of violent crime and says a case can be made for a broad review of the Sale of Liquor Act. George Hawkins' bill conveniently ignores the legal drinking age which was controversially lowered from 20 years to 18 in 1999 despite serious concern by various groups and particularly Maoridom. Worth recalling is the then warning by Labour front-bencher Phil Goff that: "It is quite clear that if we lower the voting age and increase availability, the impact will be similar to that of identical actions in Canada, the US and a number of Australian states . . . increased juvenile crime, increased traffic and non-traffic alcohol-related accidents, increased violence, increased attempted suicide and increased unwanted sex." Mr Goff claimed lowering the drinking age in four Australian states had increased the male juvenile crime rate by between 20 and 30 percent. The 1999 law changes also introduced ID cards, a "tough" new enforcement regime, beer sales in supermarkets and Sunday sales. Arguments in favour of a lower drinking age were that the previous law was difficult to enforce, that it would promote moderation. Mr Hawkins himself said: "We should start treating 18-year-olds as young adults if we want them to behave as young adults." But who wants to antagonise the 18-19-year-olds in election year! From Projectaware at maine.rr.com Mon Jun 23 10:30:01 2008 From: Projectaware at maine.rr.com (Project AWARE) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:30:01 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] e-mail Message-ID: <000601c8d53d$9ed15760$dc740620$@rr.com> Hello! I am getting dual e-mails. Probably at clakari at maine.rr.com and projectaware at maine.rr.com. Please send only to projectaware at maine.rr.com thank you! ------------------------------------------------ www.projectaware.net Carl Lakari Project AWARE Coordinator ph. 207-282-5598 fax 207-294-0459 projectaware at maine.rr.com From Anne.Rogers at maine.gov Tue Jun 24 15:26:36 2008 From: Anne.Rogers at maine.gov (Rogers, Anne) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:26:36 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] SAP Program Assistant Position Message-ID: Forwarding this for PROP. Sorry for any cross postings. Substance Abuse Prevention Program Assistant ? 40 hour a week position to coordinate and implement substance abuse prevention strategies in Cumberland County. Communities Promoting Health Coalition (CPHC) is a health initiative of the People's Regional Opportunity Program (PROP). QUALIFICATIONS: Strong verbal and written communication skills; computer and word processing skills; experience working in community organizing, substance abuse and/or public health; ability to be self?motivated and organized. Additional skills and experiences that are beneficial: assessment and evaluation, marketing and event planning, meeting facilitation, working with volunteers and community partners. Applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor?s degree in health education or human service field. Masters in Public Health preferred. Position is funded with grants and agency ability to continue position is dependent on ongoing successful fundraising Send Resume to: PROP?HR Recruitment, 510 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME 04101 by July 9, 2008 or via email at jobs at propeople.org Liz Blackwell-Moore Project Manager Communities Promoting Health Coalition PROP- People's Regional Opportunity Program Phone: 553-5867 Fax: 874-1155 www.wherepeoplecomefirst.org From Jo.Mccaslin at maine.gov Thu Jun 26 16:22:31 2008 From: Jo.Mccaslin at maine.gov (Mccaslin, Jo) Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:22:31 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] HMP Listserv - Survey Message-ID: Hello, everyone! Work is being done to update the HMP listserv. We would like to get feedback from you in order to improve listserv communication. A listserv is an email-based mailing group that allows members of the list to communicate with all other members by sending an email. Please go to this link to take a short survey to help us move forward: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gY6Cqdl7e_2fDaV_2bKXQemOgw_3d_3d Thank you for your participation! Ellie. Ellie Sparks, Office Associate Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine 286 Water St. 4th Fl. 11 State House Station Augusta, ME. 04333-0011 (207) 287-4634 Phone (207) 287-4636 Fax ellie.sparks at maine.gov CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the use of intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is priviledged, confidential, and prohibited from unauthorized disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message and attachments. _______________________________________________ Jo McCaslin, MLIS Office of Substance Abuse Information & Resource Center 41 Anthony Avenue #11 State House Station Augusta ME 04333-0011 jo.mccaslin at maine.gov Web: www.maineosa.org (207) 287-8917 TTY: 1-800-606-0215 In March, OSA moved to 41 Anthony Ave (see http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/about/maps.htm for directions). Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy/delete all copies of the original message. From Anne.Rogers at maine.gov Fri Jun 27 08:23:05 2008 From: Anne.Rogers at maine.gov (Rogers, Anne) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:23:05 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] FW: CBS Early Show on adults furnishing alcohol to minors Message-ID: "Alcohol Source For Many Youths: Adults Survey: More Than Half Of Teens Drinking; 40 Percent Provided With Booze By Grownups" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/26/earlyshow/living/parenting/mai n4212020.shtml Thank you very much!! Emily From jmorrissey at mcd.org Fri Jun 27 10:42:49 2008 From: jmorrissey at mcd.org (Joanna Morrissey) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:42:49 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] AB to stop selling energy drinks! Message-ID: Happy Friday everyone! In case you haven't heard: Leading U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch has agreed to stop selling energy drinks containing alcohol in response to an investigation by a group of state attorneys general, Reuters reported June 26.: http://uk.reuters.com/article/allBreakingNews/idUKN2633937920080626 Hooray! Jo Morrissey Assistant Project Director 21 Reasons Medical Care Development, Inc. 107 Elm Street, Suite #300 Portland, ME 04101 207-773-7737 jmorrissey at mcd.org 21 Reasons is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and businesses with a common goal: to build a healthy community environment with policies, practices, and attitudes that support the drug-free development of all youth. Please join us! For more information, visitwww.21reasons.org. From mshaughnessy at masap.org Fri Jun 27 10:53:27 2008 From: mshaughnessy at masap.org (Malory Shaughnessy) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:53:27 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] AB to stop selling energy drinks! We need to tell Miller too!! In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <009701c8d865$8f9fa500$6601a8c0@TRAVEL> Also, CSPI is looking for folks to contact Miller Brewing Company and see if they will take this step. See the website below for more details: http://takeaction.cspinet.org/campaign/miller_alcospeed/w7n53gw2y7xtnnem? Malory _________________________ Malory Shaughnessy, MPP Statewide Coordinator Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse & Maine Methamphetamine Prevention Project Affiliate Programs of the Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs 8 Mulliken Court Augusta, Maine 04330 Phone 207.621.8118 Fax 207.621.8362 Toll Free 877.406.2727 mshaughnessy at masap.org www.masap.org/site/prevention.asp "The mind has exactly the same power as the hands; not merely to grasp the world, but to change it." - Colin Wilson Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. -----Original Message----- From: prevention-bounces at informe.org [mailto:prevention-bounces at informe.org] On Behalf Of Joanna Morrissey Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 10:43 AM To: prevention at lists.maine.gov; spfmaine-request at informe.org Subject: [Prevention] AB to stop selling energy drinks! Happy Friday everyone! In case you haven't heard: Leading U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch has agreed to stop selling energy drinks containing alcohol in response to an investigation by a group of state attorneys general, Reuters reported June 26.: http://uk.reuters.com/article/allBreakingNews/idUKN2633937920080626 Hooray! Jo Morrissey Assistant Project Director 21 Reasons Medical Care Development, Inc. 107 Elm Street, Suite #300 Portland, ME 04101 207-773-7737 jmorrissey at mcd.org 21 Reasons is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and businesses with a common goal: to build a healthy community environment with policies, practices, and attitudes that support the drug-free development of all youth. Please join us! For more information, visitwww.21reasons.org. _______________________________________________ Prevention mailing list Prevention at lists.maine.gov http://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/prevention From Anne.Rogers at maine.gov Sun Jun 29 13:09:58 2008 From: Anne.Rogers at maine.gov (Rogers, Anne) Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:09:58 -0400 Subject: [Prevention] FW: alcohol news Message-ID: Top news stories on A-B settlement & FTC Report: Washington Post: Anheuser to Pull Caffeine Drinks (puts both stories together): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/26/AR200806 2604457.html Reuters: Anheuser to stop selling alcoholic energy drinks: http://www.reuters.com/article/innovationNews/idUSN2633937920080627 (picked up in England at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7612735) CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/26/anheuser.busch.settle/index.html?sectio n=cnn_latest New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/business/27bud.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxn nlx=1214572448-2Frt+4s4CfmVUQiSrc6TWA&oref=slogin WSJ: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121452905839609319.html Attorneys General Announce Anheuser Busch to Discontinue All Alcoholic Energy Drinks Source: NABCA Jun 26th AGs call on other manufacturers to follow Anheuser-Busch's lead Attorneys General today announced that eleven states have reached an agreement with Anheuser-Busch that will result in the nationwide discontinuance of two popular pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks, Tilt and Bud Extra. As part of the agreement, Anheuser-Busch will not produce any caffeinated alcohol beverages in the future. Attorneys General commend Anheuser-Busch for its decision and call on other manufacturers to take similar steps to remove these potentially dangerous beverages from the market. Attorneys General from around the country are gravely concerned about alcoholic energy drinks. These beverages taste and look like popular non-alcoholic energy drinks. These amped-up-alcopops are popular with young people who often form the wrong belief that the caffeine in the drinks will counteract the intoxicating effects of the alcohol. These beliefs are fueled by aggressive marketing campaigns that promise endless nights of fun and enhanced abilities. These marketing claims coupled with published research about the dangers of these products led Attorneys General to initiate an investigation into the content and marketing of Anheuser-Busch products Tilt and Bud Extra. The investigations were launched pursuant to state consumer protection and trade practice statutes and alleged, among other things, that Anheuser-Busch made express and implied false or misleading health-related statements about the energizing effects of Tilt and Bud Extra. While Anheuser-Busch denied claims made by the Attorneys General, it cooperated with the investigation and promptly decided to reformulate Tilt and Bud Extra without caffeine or other stimulants and to agree not to produce any other caffeinated alcohol beverages in the future. Attorneys General praised Anheuser-Busch for being a responsible industry leader and for eliminating all caffeinated alcohol beverages from their product list. "Alcohol mixed with high amounts of caffeine is a recipe for disaster, particularly in the hands of young people," said Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe, Chair of the National Association of Attorneys General Youth Access to Alcohol Committee. "The caffeine gives drinkers the subjective belief that they can function normally. This false belief results in the potential for increased serious harm. This agreement is a monumental win for our nation's young people who are lured by marketing into believing these products are safe." Attorneys General emphasized that young people aren't drinking just one or two of these alcoholic energy drinks - these products are intended to be consumed several times throughout a night of partying and to be used as a mixer for other alcoholic beverages. A recently published study by Dr. Mary Claire O'Brien of Wake Forest University found that college students who mix alcohol and energy drinks engage in increased heavy episodic drinking and have twice as many episodes of weekly drunkenness. College students who reported consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks also had significantly higher prevalence of alcohol-related consequences, like sexual assault and injury. "Binge drinking among our youth in this nation has reached epidemic proportions. These new products that offer the allure of an all night party perpetuate the problem," said Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler. "Instead of sending a message about responsible consumption of alcohol, makers of these alcoholic energy drinks are pushing over-consumption and our youth are being harmed." "The stimulating effects of the caffeine in these products can mask feelings of intoxication. Consumers feel alert, but make unsafe decisions as a result of alcohol impairment," Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. "Obviously, this creates a highly dangerous situation. I appreciate Anheuser-Busch's willingness to address our concerns directly and be a responsible leader in its marketing efforts." Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal emphasized that this is only the beginning of the work states will be doing in relation to these potentially dangerous beverages. He said, "Attorneys General are continuing to investigate alcoholic energy drinks manufactured by other companies. We will also work with state and federal officials to encourage further research and regulation in relation to these products. We have an obligation to protect consumers from false and misleading claims about products and to warn them of potentially dangerous products. Hopefully, consumers will hear about the dangers of mixing alcohol with caffeine and be more careful when consuming these drugs in combination." Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, "Tilt and Bud Extra are dangerous witches' brews, combining a kick of caffeine with a blast of booze. These beverages make drinkers hammered and hopped up at the same time. This agreement pulls these pernicious products from shelves and prohibits the company from infusing future alcoholic drinks with caffeine or similar stimulants. Anheuser-Busch will no longer produce these ghastly concoctions, which pose a significant and serious health hazard, increasing the risk of injury, binge drinking and other risky behavior." Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard emphasized that this is only the beginning of the work states will be doing in regard to these potentially dangerous beverages. "Attorneys General are continuing to investigate alcoholic energy drinks manufactured by other companies and are exploring all options, including possible legal action, Goddard said. "We urge other breweries and distilleries to follow Anheuser-Busch's lead by voluntarily withdrawing unsafe beverages from the market." "We are pleased that Anheuser-Busch has agreed to discontinue the caffeine-infused alcoholic beverages," said Ohio Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers. "The combination of high caffeine with alcohol appeals to young people. We ask other companies to follow the lead of Anheuser-Busch and discontinue these products and any advertisements that suggest mixing high caffeine energy drinks with alcohol." ---------------- FTC Reports on Alcohol Marketing and Self-Regulation June 26th Study Finds High Levels of Compliance with Voluntary Placement Standard A new Federal Trade Commission report on alcohol marketing and youth examines industry efforts to reduce the likelihood that alcohol advertising will target those under the legal drinking age of 21. It also announces a new system for monitoring alcohol industry compliance with self-regulatory programs. The report explains where alcohol suppliers spend their promotional dollars, provides data on compliance with the industry's advertising placement standard, discusses the status of external review of advertising complaints, and provides information about the Commission's education program to reduce teen access to alcohol. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/06/alcoholrpt.shtm