MillerCoors puts Sparks Red on Hold

Last week, after being sued by the Center for Science in the Pubic Interst and receiving a letter of complaint by over 25 Attorney's General, including Maine's own AG Steven Rowe, MillerCoors bowed to pressure and put their plans to launch their new Sparks Red on hold.

These highly caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks mask the effects of intoxication, thus leading consumers to believe they are capable of driving or other tasks that are risky while intoxicated. In addition, since the effects are less noticeable, consumers are likely to drink more. As if this were not enough of a danger, these beverages are marketed towards youth. Sparks Red, at 8% alcohol, contains twice the alcohol as typical beer.

We applaud MillerCoors for postponing the introduction of this product, however, postponing is not enough. We urge MillerCoors to follow Anheuser Busch's lead in pulling this dangerously irresponsible beverage line off the market altogether. In June of this year, after an investigation by Maine's AG, and other states, concluded A-B's engergy drinks were being marketed illegally to young people.

For more information about alcoholic energy drinks, why they are a problem, and what we can do to stop them, visit:
http://www.marininstitute.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=7&Itemid=28

Source of alcohol for many youth? Adults.

New national research shows that adults are contributing to the problem of underage drinking—by supplying alcohol to youth. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 40 percent of underage drinkers receive free alcohol from adults over 21. They also note that one in 16 underage drinkers (650,000 youth) was given alcoholic beverages by their parents in the past month. Check out the research summary, and link to the full report, here: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0806250013.aspx.

These statistics are highly relevant to our local communities. We know, for example, that 52% of 6th-12th graders in Cumberland County think that alcohol is easy to access. We also know that youth who think it is easy to get alcohol are four times more likely to drink than youth who think it is hard to get (2006 MYDAUS).

It is important for adults to understand that furnishing alcohol to minors who are not their own children not only hinders substance abuse prevention efforts, but is against the law. Under the State of Maine, Title 28-A, Section 2081, the court may impose fines up to $2,000 and jail time up to 1 year to anyone who furnishes, gives, sells or delivers liquor to a minor. Similar penalties apply to anyone who furnishes a place for minors to consume alcohol (Title 28-A, Section 2081).

There are many things you can do as a parent to ensure your children and their friends do not have access to alcohol:

· Refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21.
· Be at home when your teen has a party.
· Talk to other parents about not providing alcohol at events your child will be attending.
· Report underage drinking to your local law enforcement.

Safe Summer Parties

It doesn’t get much better than summertime in Maine. But with summer comes many more opportunities for teens to enjoy their free time by planning parties with their friends. So if you’re an adult hosting a party for your teen, or if your teen is planning a party for themselves, make it a great party by:

Planning for everything…

• Decide on a guest list. Give your teen a maximum number to invite and set an age limit for guests.
• Send invitations! Have your teen inform his/her guest that the party is by invitation only.
• Set a party time, inclusive of a start and end time.

Contacting parents ahead of time…

• Inform parents/guardians about the party and explain your expectations of partygoers. No Alcohol!
• Have parents or responsible adults drop-off and pickup teens. If teens drive to the party, plan to hold all keys to eliminate the temptation of leaving and returning to the party.

Keeping a watchful eye…

• Stay at the party. Your presence is important. Walk through the party area frequently. Have additional adult supervision onsite during the party.
• If you suspect a teen guest is intoxicated, contact his or her parents/guardians immediately.

Establishing rules ahead of time…

• No drugs, alcohol or smoking.
• Party area should have ample lighting for the time of the day; keep lights on throughout the party.
• Make some rooms in your home off-limits to guests; insist on partygoers staying in designated party areas.
• Avoid serving punch or soft drinks in cups. Serve a variety of drinks in cans or bottles.
• Do not allow teens to bring outside drinks, cups or open bottles into the party.
• Guests should not leave the house and return without permission and adult supervision.
• Avoid combining adult and youth parties. Remember: adults are role models. Teens will get the message that alcohol is not the “life of a party” when no alcohol is present at the party.
  

(Visit the Parental Guide to Hosting Responsible Teen Parties-Virginia Department of ABC Education Section for more ideas:
http://www.abc.state.va.us/Education/resources/ParentsGuide.pdf)

Bar Dispersal Ordinance

Requiring adequate distance between bars is essential not only to protect public safety, but also to maintain a healthy economy and quality of life. A solid base of research suggests that as alcohol outlet density goes up in a community, so do crime, violence, and motor vehicle crashes.

The Portland Police Department, the Portland Downtown District, and the Night Life Oversight Committee all agree that 100 feet is the minimum space required to prevent problems with overcrowding of bars. If it were up to 21 Reasons, there would be even more breathing room between bars-–at least 200 feet.

We need to be intentional about the future development of our downtown district. We need to promote diversification, so that we have a healthy mix of retail, restaurants, bars, and residences. Just as we have set-back requirements for new construction, we need to have "set-back" requirements for new bars going into this zone. We all want our downtown entertainment district to grow as a destination that is exciting, vibrant, and safe. Please help that to happen by maintaining a 100 foot buffer zone between bars.

Furthermore, we need to respect the process and previous efforts of our civic leaders. This issue has been studied, discussed, and decided upon only one year ago. There have been no significant environmental or cultural factors which warrant a revisit to all the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into the 100' bar dispersal ordinance. To bring this up again so soon afterwards is disrespectful to our civic leaders and the process by which they adopted the ordinance.

Monitoring Tips

Here are five things you can start right now to prevent alcohol from getting into the hands of someone underage:

1.) Limit Access. Keep track of your alcohol. Sneaking booze from your liquor cabinet or the refridgerator is a common source for those too young to legally purchase alcohol.

2.) Network. Get to know your teen's friends. Better yet, get to know their parents or guardians as well.

3.) Reinforce and Enforce. Set clear rules and expectations, and follow them consistantly.

4.) Check in often. Have them use a landline when they call so that you can tell where they are actually are when they call.

5.) Be up and ready. Give them a hug when they come home. If you have to, set the alarm just before curfew.

For more information on more things you can do to keep your teen drug and alcohol free, log onto http://www.21reasons.org/forparents.html

Myths vs Reality of Underage Drinking

Myth:
Allowing teenage parties in your home keeps your teen and their friends safe by not allowing them to drive.
Reality:
Only one-third of underage drinking deaths involve auto crashes. The remaining two-thirds involve alcohol poisoning, homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries such as burns, drowning and falls. Taking away the car keys doesn't make underage drinking safe.

Myth:
In Europe, youth drink more responsibly than in the U.S.
Reality:
According to data collected from 15- and 16-year-olds in 35 European countries, European kids actually drink more often, drink more heavily and get drunk more often than American teens. Only in Turkey are teen drinking rates lower than in the U.S.

Myth:

If we changed the minimun drinking age back to 18 instead of 21, it would reduce problems with underage drinking.
Reality:
Researchers consider the 21 minimum drinking age one of the most successful public safety & public health policies in U.S. history. Since the minimum drinking age was changed to 21 in 1984, deaths from drinking and driving accidents have decreased by thousands, saving an estimated 20,000 lives.

In addition, youth are still developing both physically and mentally until around 25 years of age. Much is now known about the affects of alcohol on the developing brain, such as how alcohol can limit future potential and that youth are more susceptible to acohol abuse. Youth also think differently. We now know the portion of the brain that controls impulse and reasoning is one of the last sections of the brain to fully develop. No one knows this better than the auto insurance industry--just try to insure a driver under the age of 25!

So, why take this unneccessary risk?

What's your reason? Contest!

Please provide your feedback and thoughts about our "What's your reason?" program. What's your response when you hear our youth talk about what keeps them drug and alcohol free?

Click on the link below to tell us what you think!