About the Center for Alcohol Policy
Center for Alcohol Policy
Executive Director
In May 2020, the Center for Alcohol Policy named Kelly Roberson as executive director. Roberson brings to the Center her years of experience in policy and marketing from the public and private sectors.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Center is to educate policymakers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and its regulation. By conducting sound research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption of alcohol, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities and the public about the effects of alcohol consumption.
The Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is comprised of distinguished leaders from areas such as education, business, government, law enforcement, health and public policy who are committed to the regulation and safety of alcohol. Advisory Council members should possess an understanding of and a desire to protect each state’s ability to control alcohol for legitimate public purpose. The individuals provide leadership and advise the Center in the areas of research and education. They work to educate the media, policy makers, state regulators, educators and the public about the regulation of alcohol, safe and responsible consumption of alcohol, underage drinking, drunk driving and the effects of alcohol consumption.
Value Statement
In 2006, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed legislation addressing problems associated with underage drinking. This legislation, the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act-PL #109-422), recognizes the primary role that the states play in regulating alcohol. The Center draws inspiration from language in the STOP Act:
Alcohol is a unique product and should be regulated differently than other products by the States and Federal Government. States have primary authority to regulate alcohol distribution and sale, and the Federal Government should support and supplement these State efforts.
States also have a responsibility to fight youth access to alcohol and reduce underage drinking. Continued State regulation and licensing of the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, transportation and storage of alcoholic beverages are clearly in the public interest and are critical to promoting responsible consumption, preventing illegal access to alcohol by persons under 21 years of age from commercial and non-commercial sources, maintaining industry integrity and an orderly marketplace and furthering effective State tax collection.
The Center for Alcohol Policy was originally organized and designated as a 501c3 organization in 1999 as the NBWA Education Foundation. In 2008 it was reorganized, rebranded and recapitalized as the Center for Alcohol Policy.
Contributions
To donate to the Center for Alcohol Policy online, click here. To send a contribution by mail, please fill out the hard copy contribution form.
For more information, please email info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.