NCAA’s alcohol advertising policy “flimsy”

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has called for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to further restrict its alcohol advertising policy. The nonprofit compared advertising shown during the NCAA’s “Final Four” games and advertising shown during the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The results demonstrated that

"a higher percentage of beer ads appeared during the 2008 NCAA “Final Four” than during the 2009 BCS games. We found that 12% of all ads aired during the three NCAA “Final Four” games promoted beer, and beer represented the 2^nd most advertised product category. In contrast, only 6% of all BCS game ads we monitored promoted beer, which was the 7^th most-advertised product category."

Sports events are some of the most closely youth-watched television, and present an important opportunity for sports figures to role model for youth. “Collaborating with beer marketers and broadcasters to push beer consumption,” says NCIS, “undermines any prevention messages and demeans the missions of higher education and college athletics.” In addition, research has linked teens’ exposure to alcohol advertising with more frequent and heavier drinking.

More than 1/3 of NCAA member schools have signed a pledge to eliminate alcohol advertising from college sports. Doing so would help to create a safe, positive, alcohol-free environment for youth and college students on the screen and in the stadium.

(via JT Direct)

Retailer density linked to adolescent binge drinking

A new study published online this month in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that binge drinking and drinking and driving among 12-17 year olds is “significantly associated with the presence of alcohol retailers” within a half mile of their home.

"Our study suggests that living in close proximity to alcohol outlets is a risk factor for youth," according to the researchers. "In California, retail licenses are not typically approved within 100 feet of a residence or within 600 feet of schools, public playgrounds and nonprofit youth facilities, but proximity by itself is not sufficient to deny a license ... More attention on the proximity rule is needed and environmental interventions need to curb opportunities for youth to get alcohol from commercial sources."

(via Join Together)

Maine Statute requires that liquor retailers be located at least 300’ away from schools, except in downtown areas. Perhaps not coincidentally, Portland has a 32% higher binge drinking rate among teens than the State of Maine, according to the 2008 MYDAUS results; in urban areas, alcohol outlets are in closer proximity to places where youth congregate.

This study underscores the need for extra caution in reviewing liquor license applications for locations close to places where youth live, study, and play.

ANFSCD, how 2 KIT w/yr kid w/TXT n IM

Some new research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and MetLife Foundation shows that nearly 25% of all teens would prefer to have a serious conversation about drug and alcohol use over email or text message. Only three percent of parents would choose to communicate with their kids this way.

While face to face conversation is most teens’ choice for this kind of communication, parents might be missing a big opportunity if they don’t embrace new technology.

Parents who are waiting for the "right time" to talk with their kids about drugs and alcohol may be missing everyday opportunities to connect on this important issue, said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership. "While nothing can take the place of an in-person conversation between parents and teens, for some parents, emails, cell phone conversations, and even texting can help start a conversation with a reluctant teen and reinforce talks you've already had--plus, parents can reach teens at times when use tends to be likelier--after school, on weekends and during unsupervised time."

The survey underscores that "Generation Text" has arrived -- when asked which was more important for everyday communication with friends, texting or social networking; teens were far more likely to communicate directly by texting (63 percent) than to rely on websites like Facebook (38 percent) to stay connected. And teens don't only want to hear from their friends. A majority of teens -- 67 percent -- were open to receiving texts from their parents after school -- a time when teens are most likely to be unsupervised. For many parents, texting may be an additional tool for monitoring and staying in touch with teens.

For parents who are nervous about using technology, Partnership for a Drug Free America publishes a free how-to text guide (.pdf) and a list of 7 Ways to Connect With Your Teen Using Technology. There are several TXT MSG translations available online.

New Year, New Beginning

The beginning of 2009 brings a fantastic opportunity to start practicing new behaviors. Experts recommend that we start small when making changes, so here are a few things that you can do in five minutes or less to help prevent underage drinking:

• Say thank you.
  Encourage those who are already helping to make a difference. Thank the convenience store clerk for carding you; thank parents for hosting alcohol-free parties; thank business owners for removing alcohol ads that might appeal to kids.
  

• Watch yourself.
  Pay attention to how you react to alcohol advertisements, and how you talk about alcohol around youth. Sometimes we send mixed messages without even thinking about it.
  

• Speak up.
  Give a voice to the silent majority by letting peers know how you feel. We can all support each other—parent to parent, teen to teen, business owner to business owner.
  

• Know the facts.
  Check out these websites to stay up to date on the latest research and strategies:
  US Surgeon General's groundbreaking Call to Action to Prevent Underage Drinking
  Marin Institute, an alcohol industry watchdog
  Stop Alcohol Abuse, a portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking
  

• Talk it up.
  Share what you learn with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.