From: [n--l--n] at [io.org] (Nigel Allen) Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs Subject: Beer industry group funds "alcohol awareness" brochure for teens Date: 14 Oct 1994 04:04:37 -0400 Here is a press release from the Beer Institute. I downloaded the press release from the PR On-Line BBS in Maryland at 410-363-0834. I do not work for or belong to the Institute. New Alcohol-Awareness Brochure Available for American Teenagers and Families Contact: Kirsten Fedewa of the Beer Institute, 202-737-2337 WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Beer Institute, the trade association for the U.S. brewing industry, is sponsoring a nationwide promotion of a new brochure to help American families prevent underage drinking. The new brochure, The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Teenage Drinking, is published by the American Council on Alcoholism (ACA) and is an education guide for teens and their parents on the problems associated with underage drinking. The ACA's goal is to prevent alcohol abuse among the nation's youth. "Teenage Drinking" focuses on the relationship between teenagers and their parents. According to Christopher vanRoden, chairman of the ACA, "Parents play a pivotal role in helping their children avoid harmful consequences of abusive drinking. The council encourages parents to be clear about what they expect from their teenagers and to be alert to dramatic behavioral changes that may signal a drinking problem. These steps are geared to prevent unfortunate situations before they occur." Funding for the distribution of ACA's "Teenage Drinking" brochure was made possible through a grant from Beer Institute's Community Assistance Fund (BICAF) program. BICAF was established by the brewers in 1989 to support community education and substance abuse prevention programs geared toward young people. The release of "Teenage Drinking" complements the efforts of local and national brewer and wholesaler alcohol awareness and education programs designed to prevent illegal underage drinking, as well as to build self-esteem and responsible decision making. "The goal of the beer industry is to reduce and eventually eliminate alcohol abuse, especially among our nation's youth. Educational literature like "Teenage Drinking" goes a long way to helping us achieve our goal," said Raymond J. McGrath, president of Beer Institute. According to Rep. Benjamin Cardin, ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, the BICAF grant and the ACA's work exemplifies a "meaningful partnership that can positively impact our citizen's lives and their health, especially those of our young people who are often faced with difficult decisions." For a copy of "Teenage Drinking," call the ACA at 800-527-5344. Information on the BICAF program is also available by contacting Beer Institute at 202-737-2337. -30-