ILCAAAP News, June 2006, Volume 69, No. 2

Alcohol Industry Targets Hispanics

As America's largest minority, Hispanics are suddenly in the spotlight.

The alcohol industry has welcomed this minority, both legal and illegal, targeting Hispanics to boost sales and diminishing profits. Anheuser-Busch, brewer of Budweiser and Bud Light, created a new division dedicated to marketing to Hispanics and announced that it would boost its 2006 advertising spending in Hispanic media by two-thirds, to more than $60 million. Close behind, AB, Miller Brewing signed a $100 million contract, a three-year ad package with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.

Advertisers find the Hispanic population enticing because its spending growth will far out-strip that of the general population for the foreseeable future, says Jeffrey Humphries, who monitors Hispanic demographic and economic trends at the University of Georgia's Selig Center.

But some in the Hispanic community are shrinking from the beer industry's embrace because of another demographic reality: Nearly half of all Hispanics in the U.S. are under the age of 21. Activists are raising public-health concerns about the beer ad blitz on the grounds that it targets a population that skews young and is disproportionately likely to abuse alcohol. A 2004 survey of eighth-grade students found that Hispanic youth are much more likely to drink alcohol and get drunk, and to engage in binge drinking, than their white or black peers.

"Latino youth are drinking more than black or white youth, with all the concurrent negative health and social consequences," says Katherine Culliton, an official of the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention, in Washington. "We believe this is a result of beer companies aggressively targeting Latino youth."

Recent research has attempted to establish a link between exposure to alcohol ads and consumption by youth. Twelve-to 20-year-old Latinos see and hear more alcohol ads per capita than young people in that age group overall, according to a 2005 report by the Center of Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University.

One study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in January and funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, found greater exposure to alcohol ads contributes to an increase in drinking among youth.

Advertising-related or not, drinking rates among Hispanic teens are alarming. In a 2004 survey by the University of Michigan funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 23.5% of Hispanic eighth-graders said they had drunk alcohol over the past months, compared with 19.2% of whites and 16.2% of blacks.

San Diego passed a local ordinance in 2000 banning alcohol billboards within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds and churches. But in June 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court knocked down similar restrictions on cigarette billboards. Billboard companies challenged the San Diego ordinance, and in 2002 the two sides reached a settlement. In 2003, the city modified its ordinance to 500 feet, the same standard the beer industry has incorporated into its voluntary advertising guidelines.

Eighteen-year-old Sandra Villarda felt besieged by beer billboards on her drive down El Cajon Boulevard to San Diego City College. Every day the ads greeted her, for Bud Light on one block, Miller Lite on the next. "M?as Calor! M?as Sabor! M?as Fiestas!" one Miller Lite billboard read. "More Heat! More Flavor! More Parties!

There are other sights along the route, too. "I see Latino kids sipping beer out of a Coke bottle," says Ms. Villarda, who recently joined the San Diego Youth Council, a group that promotes an anti alcohol-abuse message. "There is a lot of pressure to drink in the community," she adds.

Facing stagnant beer sales, an aging population and the blossoming appeal of wine, the nation's biggest brewers are aggressively courting Hispanics, the fastest-growing and youngest population group in the U.S. The brewers' efforts, including a burst of advertising aimed at Spanish-speaking consumers, have rankled community health activists and rekindled the debate about unfairly targeting an ethnic group.

Reprinted with permission from Monday Morning Report Vol. 30, Number 9, May 8, 2006

Drug Dealers Distribute Free Samples of Heroin

The Chicago Tribune reported that seven people collapsed on the West Side of Chicago from what "appeared to be overdoses from bad heroin passed out free by a drug dealer." This was the second incidence in which "people apparently overdosed from free samples distributed by dealers trying to entice customers and close sales".

According to the article, "Drug dealers distribute free samples, telling potential customers that if they like the drug, they can buy more." Local residents said these "pass outs" are common, and that drug users come from other areas to buy drugs in the Chicago neighborhood. Some believe the overdoses will only fuel the demand for the heroin.

Chicago Tribune, "Free heroin sends 7 to hospitals", April 15, 2006

Staff Activities

In order to give our readers an idea of how and where their donations are allocated, some of our activities are listed on this page.

The ILCAAAP Teen Board performs alcohol prevention skits at the Underage Drinking Town Hall Meeting at the Prairie Heart Conference Center in Springfield. ILCAAAP coordinated the event sponsored by the Sangamon County Coalition Against Underage Drinking. Close to 100 people attended including parents, law enforcement, college students and teens, schools, businesses, citizens of the community, and prevention organizations.

Sara Wojcicki, a television news reporter at WICS, (pictured above) conducted a Teach-In for 51 fifth grade students at St. Agnes School in Springfield. Ken Page, President of the Springfield Branch of the NAACP conducted a Teach-In for 44 sixth graders at Washington Middle School. ILCAAAP worked with the schools and the speakers to initiate these events during Alcohol Awareness Month to educate children about the dangers of alcohol and underage drinking.

Conner Bell, a 7th grade student at St. Agnes School in Springfield, was awarded first prize in the Alcohol Awareness Month Poster Contest by Anita Bedell, Executive Director of ILCAAAP/Illinois Churches In Action. Conner received a $200 U. S. Savings Bond, and his artwork will be made into an educational flyer. Over 300 entries were received, and the posters were displayed at the State Capitol.

ILCAAAP Board President Mike Krost presented Rev. Tom Grey with an award at the Faith, Family & Future 2006 Rally and Lobby Day at the State Capitol on April 5. Tom Grey is the field coordinator for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, and he has worked to oppose the expansion of gambling in Illinois for 14 years.

Alcohol Legislation

The following alcohol bills were passed in the Legislature and will be sent to the Governor.

SB 946 - Allows restaurant patrons to take home unfinished bottles of wine. The bill specifies that the wine bottle must be corked and sealed in a plastic bag that is tagged with the date and name of the restaurant where the wine was purchased. This prevents people from driving home with an open container of alcohol in their vehicle.

SB 2445 - Another exemption to the Illinois Liquor Control Act to allow one restaurant to serve alcohol closer than 100 feet of an elementary school in Chicago. This bill sets precedence for others to by-pass local liquor control of alcohol and change state law for their own business.

SB 2454 -Allows alcohol to be served or sold (cash bars) at Historic Sites when individuals or organizations lease the facilities. Abraham Lincoln did not drink alcohol. Non-alcoholic drinks could be served at receptions at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum or other Historic Sites.

SB 2505 - Bans alcohol without liquid machines (AWOL) in Illinois. These devices are designed to mix alcohol with oxygen or another gas to produce a mist that is inhaled.

Gambling Legislation

A "back room deal" is in the works

The Legislature passed HB 1918 to subsidize horse racing by giving them 3% of the adjusted gross receipts from four casinos where gamblers lose over $200 million a year. Taxes on horse racing were reduced or eliminated in 1999. Last year horse racing revenue to the state decreased 7.5 %, yet horse racing interests gave the Governor and Legislators $495,000 in campaign contributions (more than casino interests).

HB 1918 gives gambling interests and politicians two years to work out a "back room deal" for a comprehensive expansion of gambling. Racetracks want slot machines so they can become land-based casinos, casinos want more gambling positions so they can double or triple in size on land, and politicians want additional casinos-Chicago, South Side, Lake County, etc. Politicians could work out the "deal" after the election in November or next Spring.

Another gambling bill HB ____reduced the taxes at one racetrack (Fairmont) by $1 million a year. Taxpayers now fund parks and programs that formerly were paid from taxes on horse racing through the General Revenue Fund.

2006 is an election year.

Ask the candidates' their position on gambling, alcohol. and drug-related issues when you talk to them this summer at parades, picnics, Community Events, and Candidate Forums.

Underage Drinkers and Alcoholics Consume
Between 37.5 and 48.8 Percent of Alcohol Sold

A groundbreaking study, found that underage drinkers and adult pathological drinkers account for at least $48.3 billion, and as much as $62.9 billion, in alcohol sales in 2001 (the last year for which data are available). The study was published in the May 1 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (APAM) and was conducted by researchers at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

The article and report reveal that 25.9 percent of underage drinkers meet the clinical criteria for alcohol abuse and addiction-more than two and one-half times the 9.6 percent of adult drinkers who meet the criteria for such pathological drinking.

Alcohol abuse and addiction cost the nation an estimated $220 billion in 2005-more than cancer ($196 billion) and obesity ($133 billion).

"It is critical for our nation to put an end to this senseless savagery that alcohol abuse and addiction visit on our children and teens-in deaths from auto accidents, risky sex and alcohol poisoning, rape, murder, suicide, and other violence," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., president and CEO of CASA. He urged parents, colleges, the media and alcohol industry executives to accept personal responsibility to help curb underage and pathological drinking.

The report recommends a public health campaign, education of health care providers, more effective prevention and treatment programs, and insurance coverage for treatment.

Press Release - The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

Long-Term Marijuana Use May Fog Memory

Memory, attention, and verbal fluency appear to suffer among regular, long-term marijuana users, HealthDay News reported.

A team of researchers from University Hospital in Patras, Greece found that people who smoked four joints or more per week tended to perform poorly on mental tests and those who had smoked regularly for a decade or more did the worst. "The longer you smoke marijuana, the more likely you are to experience a diminution of cognitive functions that are critical for 'normal' daily functioning," said Barbara Flannery, an addiction researcher.

Researchers found, for example, that long-term marijuana users were impaired 70 percent of the time on a decision-making test, compared to 55 percent for short-term users and 8 percent for nonusers.

Researchers cautioned, however, that the purported link between marijuana and diminished mental acuity is far from definitive.

The study was published in the March 14 issue of the journal Neurology.

Reprinted with permission from Join Together, March 15, 2006

Alcohol at Hair Salon

Once upon a time alcohol outlets were confined to bars, taverns and restaurants, but it has become easier and more popular to imbibe at a variety of locations not normally known for eating or drinking.

The Wall Street Journal recently reminded its readers just how far this trend has spread, with a feature on imbibing at hair salons.

At spas and hair salons across the country, the old tradition of handing a complimentary glass of wine to the customers has morphed into something much more involved. Thanks to everything from a nationwide boom in new beauty businesses to the peculiarities of liquor laws there are changing views about what constitutes a "night out." More salons are reeling in customers by refashioning themselves as satellite nightclubs with late hours, cool music and complimentary drinks served by bartenders.

This unlikely mix of spirits and hairspray isn't without risks. For one thing, it requires an investment. In addition to upgrading their sound systems and supplying the booze, salons can pay $10 to $15 an hour for bartenders and up to $500 for liquor permits for special events. Some spas that serve alcohol have had to amend their insurance policies to protect themselves in case a patron leaves the scene of an accident. After consulting an attorney, one California hair salon and spa, Frank Studio, learned that it's okay to serve drinks only if they're not an inducement to buy services - technically, anyone of legal age can come inside and demand a drink without making a purchase.

To compete for customers, many spas and salons now offer more services and stay open seven days per week. By keeping later hours and serving alcohol, owners say they have a better chance of encouraging customers to relax, turn off their phones and order extra treatments they would have skipped in favor of a dinner engagement. At an average of $75 each, those facials and reflexology sessions can do a lot to pad the bottom line.

One obvious problem with all this is what to do when customers have a little too much fun. At the Warren-Triconi salon in Greenwich, Conn., the staff has resorted to flickering the lights to break up its mingling spa-goers. Almost as soon as Miami's Rik Rak Salon reopened with a wine bar, employees found themselves telling the bartender to cut a patron off.

Ever since Lisa Xavier started serving complimentary apple martinis at her hair salon and spa in Santa Monica, Calif., she's had to behave, at times, more like a bouncer than a beauty consultant. When she's not rebuffing underage girls asking for drinks, she's dealing with the occasional incident.

Some patrons and spa owners don't like the idea. In New York, 53 year-old marketing consultant Tanya Mandor ditched her regular spa when the "chatter" became too overwhelming. "If I want to socialize, I'll go to a restaurant," she says.

Reprinted with permission from Monday Morning Report, Vol.30 Number 2, January 30, 2006

Advisory Regarding Claims That Smoked Marijuana Is a Medicine

Claims have been advanced asserting smoked marijuana has a value in treating various medical conditions.

Marijuana is listed in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the most restrictive schedule. Marijuana met the three criteria for placement in Schedule 1. 1) Marijuana has a high potential for abuse, 2) has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and 3) has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Furthermore, there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful. There are alternative FDA-approved medications in existence for treatment of many of the proposed uses of smoked marijuana.

FDA is the sole Federal agency that approves drug products as safe and effective for intended indications. Efforts that seek to bypass the FDA drug approval process would not serve the interests of public health because they might expose patients to unsafe and ineffective drug products. FDA has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease indication.

A growing number of states have passed voter referenda (or legislative actions) making smoked marijuana available for a variety of medical conditions upon a doctor's recommendation. These measures are inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process and are proven safe and effective under the standards for the FD&C Act. Accordingly, FDA, as the federal agency responsible for reviewing the safety and efficacy of drugs, DEA as the federal agency charged with enforcing the CSA, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as the federal coordinator of drug control policy, do not support the use of smoked marijuana for medical purposes.

FDA Statement April 20, 2006

NOTE: SB 2568, to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois, could be called for a vote after the November election or next Spring.

2006 Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest Winners

Name School
1st Place Connor Bell St. Agnes, Springfield
2nd Place Gabrielle Kuhn Marshall Junior High
3rd Place Jack DeShon Butterworth Elementary, Moline
4th Place Michelle Schulto Gibson City Middle School

Savings Bond Awards: 1st Place $200, 2nd Place $100, 3rd Place $75, 4th Place $50

A Certificate of Achievement and CD Holder/gift Certificate were awarded to student from each school/grade

Individual School/Grade Winners

Name School
Jenny Brenneison St. Agnes, Springfield
Morgan Brinker Blessed Sacrament, Springfield
Colby Butler Auburn Middle School
Elizabeth Carter Home School, Lincoln
Zach Clodfelter West Salem Grade School
Rebekah Crider Crider Home School, Lincoln
Branwen Cromer Moline High School
Kirby Goetz St. Agnes, Springfield
Caleb Hill St John's Lutheran, Red Bud
Ashley Mathes Gibson City Middle School
Morgan McCarthy Butterworth Elementary, Moline
Emilee Miller Little Flower School, Springfield
Mitch Morecraft Marshall Junior High
Aley Mundstock Blessed Sacrament, Springfield
Karen Olson Woodhouse Grove Home School, Springfield
Amy Rutherford Franklin Middle School, Springfield
Isabella Silver St. Agnes, Springfield

Churches Giving to ILCAAAP/Illinois Churches in Action

March 13 - May 12, 2006

Giving to ILCAAAP/Illinois Churches in Action
Century Churches
Donations of $100 or more

Church Conferences & Church Organizations
Giving to ILCAAAP/Illinois Churches in Action

New Resources Available From Churches in Action Lending Library

Book Markers

The Easiest Place to Get Beer
by
FACE
Truth and Clarity on Alcohol

Changing Your Colors to Fit In?
by
FACE
Truth and Clarity on Alcohol

Memorial Gifts
To Help The Living

In Remembrance of
Rev. Willard G. Foote
by
Charlotte Foote

In Remembrance of
Katie Prosapio
by
ILCAAAP Board and Staff

In Remembrance of
Robert Woelffer
by
John Kindt

In Honor of
Anita Bedell by
McLean United Methodist Church
and Mr. Stephen Funk

In Honor of
Sister Pauletta Overbeck, O. P.
by
Anonymous

"But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them. He shall deliver them form the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him."
Psalm 37: 39-40

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