ILCAAAP News, December 2005, Volume 68, No. 4

Underage Drinking - An Environmental Issue

Remarks from featured speaker at the American Council on Alcohol Problems Conference

Duane Cady, M.D., Chair, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association

Addressing underage drinking as an environmental issue, Dr. Cady cited a study by the Institute for Medicine that concluded that underage drinking costs the American society more than $53 billion a year and compared alcohol pollution to air and water pollution, noting that 11 million people under the age of 21 drink.

While some blame parents for being too lax with their children, Dr. Cady said the AMA is convinced that a much larger force is at work. "That force is the alcohol industry and the environment it has helped to create for our children and grandchildren," he said.

"The alcohol industry would have us see the problem differently. They tell us 'Talk to your kids about alcohol' and 'Drink responsibily.' These messages may be well and good, but this language ignores a simple but vital fact. Given the current alcohol environment in much of America, there's only so much adults can accomplish by talking, because talking goes only so far in a nation where young people are repeatedly bombarded by aggressive and omnipresent advertising and marketing campaigns specifically designed to make alcohol consumption seem glamorous, sexy and fun. Not just to adults. But to kids.

"In fact, children and teens represent one of the industry's most promising, emerging and current markets. The illegal consumption of alcohol by youth already accounts for approximately $22 billion in sales. The alcohol industry wants to get these new consumers as soon as they can to ensure future markets for their products.

"It's clear to me that we need to radically change the current alcohol environment and prevent the alcohol industry from polluting. What's more, that's not just me speaking; it's the American Medical Association.

"We support-and I quote our policy here-'a total statutory prohibition of advertising of all alcoholic beverages except for inside retail or wholesale outlets.'

"That's pretty radical policy, but when you add up the devastation and dollars, it seems to be a pretty rational public health response. And, unlike the alcohol industry, the AMA is not giving lip service to its policies."

Dr. Cady went on to cite examples of how the AMA has worked to prevent liquor advertising on television, and urged the National Collegiate Athletic Association to eliminate alcohol advertising associated with NCAA sports events.

He concluded his remarks to ACAP by outlining actions taken by the AMA at its annual meeting this past June, declaring its commitment to call on state medical societies to advocate for policies such as:

Reprinted from National Good Templar, I.O.G.T. Vol. LXV, NO. 7 October-November 2005

National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month

The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times of the year due to an increase in impaired driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last December 1,210 people were killed in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator who had been drinking.

There were 16,694 alcohol-related fatalities in 2004-39 percent of the total traffic fatalities for the year. Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes (NHTSA, 2004).

Each year alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion.

Impairment begins with the first drink. Don't drink and drive.

Lowering the Drinking Age Increases Car Crashes Among Youth

Lowering the drinking age causes a dramatic increase in alcohol-related car crashes among young people, according to a new study based on data from New Zealand, where the government dropped the drinking age to 18 six years ago.

This evidence is significant for the United States, because drinking and driving patterns among young people are similar. There is continuing pressure in the United States, particularly from alcohol industry interests, to reduce the minimum legal drinking age. Currently, five states have pending legislation to lower the drinking age.

"There is no traffic safety policy with more evidence for its effectiveness than minimum legal drinking age laws," said Robert B. Voas, Ph.D., an author of the study. "Traffic crashes by young drivers were declining in New Zealand when that country decided to lower its drinking age. Thereafter, the overall road toll for those drivers rose dramatically. People in the United States who argue for lowering the drinking age should pay attention."

The study, published in the January edition of the Journal of American Public Health Association, found that the rate of alcohol-related traffic crashes with injuries among males increased 12 percent for 18- to 19-year-olds and 14 percent among 15- to 17-year-olds in the four years before and after the law changed. For females, the rate increased 51 percent for 18- to 19-year-olds and 24 percent for 15- to 17-yeard-olds. The authors estimated that 400 serious injuries and 12 deaths a year among 15-19 year olds could be avoided in New Zealand by raising the drinking age.

"Most remarkable was the trickle-down effect that was seen in the 15- to 17-year-olds," Voas said. "Clearly, they're getting alcohol from older friends."

Several studies in the United States have shown significant reductions in alcohol-related traffic crashes since the Uniform Drinking Age Act in 1984, which mandates that states enact a minimum legal drinking age of 21 or risk losing federal highway construction money. A review of 17 studies from states which raised the drinking ages found a 16 percent reduction in crashes involving underage youth.

Reprinted with permission from PIRE, or Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, November 28, 2005

Gambling Legislation

In the Veto Session, HB 1920 to eliminate riverboat gambling passed in the House. The bill was sent to the Senate where Senator John Cullerton, chief sponsor of legislation to legalize the sale of lottery tickets on the Internet, signed on as the chief sponsor for HB 1920. Senate President Emil Jones is seeking a casino for the South Suburbs of Chicago, and it is highly unlikely that HB 1920 will be called for a vote in the Senate. Contact your State Senator to voice your concerns (217-782-200).

Slot machines at Racetracks

Gambling interests want slot machines at racetracks. This would transform the tracks into land-based casinos. Since 2006 is an election year, a second option is for racetracks to receive a subsidy from casinos if the existing casinos are allowed to expand on land and double the number of slot machines. Either of these plans would greatly expand gambling in Illinois and increase compulsive gambling. Over 85 percent of the revenue from casinos comes from slot machines (electronic gambling devices). These machines are highly addictive. Contact your State Legislators to voice your concerns and to tell them, NO MORE GAMBLING.

Early Heavy Drinking Hints at Genetic Risk

Youth who drink heavily at an early age may be less sensitive to the intoxicating effects of consumption, perhaps hinting at a genetic predisposition to alcohol abuse.

Medical News Today reported that researcher Marc Schuckit, M.D. of the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System recently conducted a study on 12- and 13-year-olds who had previous experience with alcohol. The study found that while most of the youths consumed only one or two drinks at a time, a significant number had four to six drinks at a sitting.

"When children with a family history of alcohol dependence begin drinking, about half of them experience little or no intoxication at blood-alcohol levels where others would be feeling moderately tipsy," said Schuckit. "Consequently, these adolescents have a propensity to drink more heavily when they drink, because higher blood-alcohol levels are required to produce the effects they want."

Schuckit said the findings provide important clues to researchers seeking a genetic link to over- consumption of alcohol. "The study offers a unique perspective on the beginnings of the alcohol experience and usage patterns of 12-year-olds," he said. "This is the first study correlating the intensity of reaction to alcohol with the amount of alcohol consumed at an early age."

"The more we understand about the causes of alcohol dependence and the contributing genes, the more likely we will be able to identify tailored prevention and better evaluate treatments once alcoholism develops," said Schuckit.

Schuckit presented his findings at the American Medical Association's recent media briefing on "Alcohol Dependence: From Science to Solutions." The study was published in the July 2005 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol.

Reprinted from Join Together Online 7/27/2005

Message to Parents:

Start talking about alcohol early and often

Every day 7,000 children under the age of 16 start drinking alcohol. Alcohol is the number one drug problem among youth. Alcohol is responsible for more than 4,500 deaths per year under age 21. Studies have found that young people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol-dependent than those who begin drinking at age 21.

Research shows that parents of teens generally underestimate the extent of alcohol used by youth and its negative consequences. Unfortunately, many parents view underage drinking as "inevitable" and some parents even provide alcohol to underage youth.

According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than one quarter (2 million) of the alcohol-dependent adults now ages 21 or older, first used alcohol before the age of 14. In addition to its negative impact on health, alcohol use among youth is strongly correlated with violence, risky sexual behavior, poor academic performance, alcohol-related driving incidents and other harmful behaviors.

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the Ad Council launched a national public service advertising campaign designed to prevent underage drinking. The campaign aims to reach parents of children ages 11-15 and encourage parents to speak to their children about alcohol early and often.

"We want to send a wake-up call to parents that any use of alcohol for teens involves risk, not just binge drinking or drinking and driving. Alcohol can affect the developing adolescent brain," said Charles Currie, Administrator of HHS's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which developed the campaign. "Parents of children and teens must change their attitudes toward teen drinking from acceptance to abstinence, and recognize the importance of talking to their children early and often about alcohol."

The television, radio, magazine, newspaper, and Internet ads direct parents to visit www.stopalcoholabuse.gov or call 1-800-729-6686 to get information about the short and long-term consequences of underage drinking; tips for parents on initiating conversations about alcohol; and a brochure created for the campaign.

NASCAR Racing and Alcohol Sponsorship

NASCAR, which is fast becoming America's most popular spectator sport, has permitted Anheuser-Busch and other beer companies to sponsor race cars for several years, but only recently did officials lift their ban on hard liquor advertising.

Already Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Crown Royal brands have found a home in the Nextel garage this year. But if NASCAR officials thought the connection between drinking and driving would be mitigated by a "drink responsibly" message delivered by liquor sponsors, reality struck earlier this month outside Phoenix International Raceway.

That's where Kurt Busch, the 2004 Cup points champion, received a citation for driving under the influence of alcohol, according to Maricopa County sheriff's deputies. Busch, who preaches a "Drink Responsibly" message as part of his sponsorship with Crown Royal whiskey, failed a field sobriety breath test.

Busch was suspended for the remainder of the racing season, not only for failing the breath test, but also for his belligerent behavior toward the deputies during the incident, according to a report in the New York Times.

"We did not want to be in a position which could be viewed as condoning this behavior," said Rousch Racing's president, Geoff Smith. "We decided the only appropriate thing to do was suspend him."

As Busch issued a public apology, NASCAR, began damage control. NASCAR has faced the problem of drinking and driving before, more recently with the drunk driving arrest of Scott Wimmer before last year's Daytona 500. Wimmer, then a rookie, was placed on probation, but not suspended.

The introduction of liquor sponsors this year has renewed the focus on the issue. Critics of the liquor sponsorships include the American Medical Association and racing icon Richard Petty. The last thing liquor sponsors could have wanted was a drinking and driving controversy-not after all the years it took to be welcomed into a sport that traces its history back to fast cars used by moonshiners with illegal liquor during Prohibition.

However, the incident will not reopen the debate about liquor sponsorship, according to Jim Hunter, NASCAR, vice president for communications. The new revenue source offered by liquor sponsorships is apparently too good to turn down.

Reprinted from Monday Morning Report, volume 29, Number 27, November 21, 2005

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