Former Chief Counsel for the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Robert M. Tobiassen released a report, “The ‘Fake Alcohol’ Situation in the United States: The Impact of Culture, Market Economics, and the Current Regulatory Systems,” at the Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Seventh Annual Alcohol Law and Policy Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

As part of a panel on “Counterfeit Alcohol: A Global vs. United States Perspective,” Tobiassen described the study’s analysis of “the numerous incidents of fake alcohol products in countries around the world that are routinely reported in the news media, government announcements, social media, and medical and scientific literature with the resulting deaths, social unrest, and marketplace disruptions, among other adverse outcomes.” In contrast, the study documents few such incidents reported in the United States.

Tobiassen outlined the reasons for the few incidents of fake alcohol products in the United States identified in the study, including “a strong cultural respect for the rule of law and lack of corruption in governance,” along with “strong regulatory systems that police the production, importation, distribution and retail sales of alcohol beverages through independent parties” and the country’s “competitive marketplace that provides alcohol beverages at all price points including inexpensive yet safe (in a quality control context) alcohol beverages thereby negating the demand for fake alcohol (except for moonshine).”

The report notes that public policy makers must balance competing goals and develop intervention tools that offset the social harms associated with the availability of low-cost alcohol beverages, combat the distribution of fake alcohol products and prevent a corrupt illicit production and trade marketplace.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) is pleased to announce that Warren Adegunle, a student at the University of Georgia School of Law, is the winner of its Sixth Annual Essay Contest. The CAP national essay contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation. The topic of the 2013 contest was: “This year marks the 80^th anniversary of the 21^st Amendment. Has it achieved its intended purpose?”

Adegunle’s essay, “Achieving Success,” examines the purposes of the 21^st Amendment by analyzing the social, political and legislative events of the era and measures these purposes against the actual effects. Specifically, his essay notes the 21^st Amendment’s purpose “to wrest from the federal government and to give back to the states the power to regulate alcohol and … to alleviate some of the negative social consequences that Prohibition had wrought on America.”

Adegunle’s essay concludes that the 21^st Amendment is a success, stating:

It repealed a good-spirited, but misguided law and gave the states the power to regulate a mostly local issue. Ultimately, before the passage of the 21^st Amendment the federal government was not within its proper limits. The federal government was regulating a mostly local issue with police powers completely unenvisioned by the Founders. However, the 21^st Amendment changed this, it recalibrated the constitutional balance in an important area of commerce, and it had the positive derivative effect of reducing alcohol crimes.

“The history of our nation’s abuses with alcohol leading up to national Prohibition is critical to understanding the state-based alcohol regulatory system that was put in place following Prohibition’s repeal and the passage of the 21^st Amendment,” said CAP Advisory Council member and Samford University Cumberland School of Law Professor Brannon Denning. “This year’s essay contest gave citizens from across the country the opportunity to study our nation’s alcohol policies and examine their impact.”

Joseph Ojih, a professor at Stratford University, was awarded second place for his essay, “Attractions and Merits: Making the Case for the 21^st Amendment,” which argues that, in terms of crime reduction, tax revenue generation and the protection of the citizens’ freedom of choice, the 21^st Amendment can be considered a success.

Craig Childs, a financial analyst from Virginia, was awarded third place for his essay, “The Twenty-First Amendment: A Lesson in Responsible Lawmaking and Governance,” which illustrates the continued benefits of the 21^st Amendment by highlighting the unintended consequences that plagued the Prohibition era; the benefits of the current three-tier alcohol distribution system and the effects of deregulation in the United Kingdom; and the potential impacts to the United States.

The winning entrants will receive prizes of $5,000 and $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

To read the winning essays, please visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org/essay-contest.

###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy’s educational video, The Origin of Today’s Alcohol Regulatory System, has been honored with a silver award in the TRENDS All Media Contest in the “CD, Video, Podcast or PSA” category. The award was presented this week at the TRENDS 2014 Salute to Association Excellence in Washington, D.C.

Association TRENDS is the national newspaper for association executives and suppliers, spotlighting the latest news, information and trends in association management. The annual TRENDS All Media Contest recognizes excellence in communications by national, regional, state and local associations and nonprofits.

The Center’s award-winning video features Center for Alcohol Policy advisors Brannon Denning, professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, and Jerry Oliver, Sr., former Arizona alcohol regulator and chief of police for Detroit, Richmond and Pasadena.

“The video is a valuable educational tool that explains the origin of America’s state-based alcohol regulatory system, which today works to balance alcohol control with an orderly and competitive marketplace, benefiting all Americans,” said Denning.

The video highlights the Center’s republication of the book Toward Liquor Control, which outlined how states could regulate the alcohol industry and safely sell and serve alcohol following the repeal of Prohibition, and how the book is still helping shape policy today. The video also contrasts the effective American regulatory system with the United Kingdom, which has deregulated alcohol over several decades and now faces myriad alcohol-related problems as a result.

“It gives the tenets for why alcohol should be controlled at the local level, why states and local jurisdiction are to have the final say as to how alcohol is accessed and how it’s distributed,” said Oliver.

“It’s clear that what’s acceptable in Nevada isn’t necessarily acceptable in Utah,” added Denning. “The 21^st Amendment and the flexibility of state-based regulation allows those local differences to be taken into account.”

To learn more about the Center for Alcohol Policy and its programs, please visit www.centerforalcholpolicy.org.

###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sixth Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium kicked off day two at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C., with a panel on antitrust developments in the alcohol industry, which noted the Obama Administration’s increased activity in the area of antitrust enforcement and the impact of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the AB-InBev merger with Modelo and ultimate settlement to approve the deal.

Sandeep Vaheesan, senior fellow at the American Antitrust Institute, spoke about the benefits of enforcing antitrust laws to ensure competitive markets and serve consumers’ interest in product quality, variety and price. Vaheesan noted that alcohol is not just any other commodity, like toothpaste or shoes, and there are also societal consequences that need to be addressed. Attorney David Balto highlighted the pro-competitive aspects of the independent three-tier alcohol distribution system in the United States saying, “Independent distribution is an important restraint to anti-competitive conduct.”

Former Arizona alcohol regulator and CAP Advisory Council member Jerry Oliver moderated a panel on federal and state alcohol regulatory issues. Steve Wing, associate administrator for alcohol policy at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, spoke about ongoing initiatives across federal agencies to research and reduce underage drinking, including efforts funded by the STOP Underage Drinking Act. Susan Evans, executive liaison for industry and state matters at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), described the TTB’s revenue collection and consumer protection role and its responsibility over permits, labeling and formula approvals for the alcohol industry. She noted TTB’s need for adequate funding in light of an increased workload resulting from a booming alcohol industry with thousands of new businesses entering the market.

State alcohol regulators from Idaho, West Virginia and Wisconsin responded to national survey findings that the public is very satisfied with America’s current alcohol regulatory safeguards and overwhelmingly agree that enforcement is key to alcohol regulation. They emphasized the need for adequate resources for state enforcement efforts that support a safe and orderly alcohol market. Roger Johnson of Wisconsin Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement highlighted the value of the three-tier alcohol regulatory system in promoting a variety of products, assisting in tax collection and preventing problems with counterfeiting and overconsumption that plagues other countries like England. He warned against deregulatory efforts or changes to state laws that could have unintended consequences that undermine the excellent alcohol regulatory systems that exist today.

The symposium concluded with a presentation by Jack Marshall of ProEthics on the challenge of keeping pace with professional ethics in times of rapid change.

More details on speakers, education session topics and the symposium program can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org. Click here to read a summary from day one of the symposium, and read live updates from the event on Twitter using the hashtag #CAPLaw.

 ###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sixth Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium began today at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C., with a welcome by CAP Advisory Council member and former Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch who noted that the symposium is a key opportunity for a diverse group of state alcohol regulators, public health advocates, members of the alcohol beverage industry and others interested in alcohol policy issues to come together to learn and share ideas. Lynch also introduced a new video which explains the origin of America’s state-based regulatory system.

Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto delivered a keynote address on the role state attorneys general play in regulatory, law enforcement and public health functions. She discussed the state’s history of alcohol regulation since its vote to ratify the 21^st Amendment and emphasized her office’s involvement in balancing support for local businesses that contribute to the economy while promoting alcohol’s safe and responsible use and engaging in educational outreach.

A panel moderated by Ashley Trim of Pepperdine University’s Davenport Institute addressed civic engagement and working with divergent views at the same policy table. Public health, alcohol regulatory and industry panelists addressed the question of who should make alcohol policy and how more stakeholders – such as religious groups, schools, health care professionals and law enforcement – can work together to achieve common public policy goals when alcohol policy decisions are considered.

Former National Transportation Safety Board Chair and CAP Advisory Council member Jim Hall introduced Barry Lynn, director of the Markets, Enterprise and Resiliency Initiative at the New America Foundation, by noting that regulation of the alcohol industry, like the airline industry, can benefit consumers and enhance public safety. Lynn spoke about America’s increased globalization and the potential threat to American jobs by the continued monetization of basic Main Street businesses. He highlighted that the existence of an independent middle tier and state-based regulation in the U.S. alcohol industry is good for both the consumer but also the fabric of local communities.

CAP Advisory Council member and Cumberland School of Law professor Brannon Denning moderated a legal panel featuring Dan Schweitzer, Supreme Court counsel for the National Association of Attorneys General; Lisa Soronen, executive director of the State and Local Legal Center; and Edward Dawson, teaching fellow and assistant professor at Louisiana State University. The panelists updated attendees on states’ rights cases currently before the Supreme Court and the potential impact for future alcohol cases involving issues of preemption, equal protection and the 21^st Amendment.

Attendees also heard an update on the latest drunk driving issues from MADD Chief Government Affairs Officer J.T. Griffin and the Honorable James Dehn, Judge of District Court in Isanti County, Minnesota, who described innovative efforts to reduce drunk driving and build partnerships to engage entire communities in addressing the problem.

A tutorial on trade practices offered insights from federal alcohol regulator Robert Angelo, director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Trade Investigations Unit, and state alcohol regulator Craig Miller, senior officer with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, on examples of possible violations of the tied house laws that prevent control of retailers and support access to market and consumer choice.

The final panel focused on the consequences of alcohol deregulation in the United Kingdom and lessons for the United States. Pam Erickson, president and CEO of Public Action Management PLC and former executive director of Oregon Liquor Control, contrasted the balanced approach of the U.S. regulatory system with the U.K., which deregulated alcohol over several decades so it is now sold almost anywhere 24 hours per day, is aggressively promoted and sold below-cost at supermarkets. As a result, she said, the U.K. is facing an alcohol epidemic characterized by increased rates of underage drinking and alcohol-related hospital admissions. Jim Cooper, board member of the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention, outlined the negative impacts of recent deregulatory efforts in Washington state while Bill Kerr, senior scientist of the Alcohol Research Group, described research showing the public health problems that result from treating alcohol like a commodity and increasing its availability. Gabriel Romanus, former president/CEO of Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly and former member of the Swedish Parliament, also offered an international example of alcohol regulations at work in Nordic countries that were challenged upon joining the European Union.

The Sixth Annual CAP Alcohol Law Symposium continues Friday, October 25 at The Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. Additional details regarding the symposium program can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

For live updates from the event, follow @AlcoholPolicy on Twitter using the hashtag #CAPLaw.

###

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Illinois, Virginia Regulators Recognized for Efforts to Enforce State Alcohol Laws and Promote Public Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) is pleased to announce that Gloria L. Materre, executive director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and J. Neal Insley, chairman and commissioner of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), are the recipients of the inaugural Leadership in Alcohol Regulation Award. The award, which recognizes the work of alcohol regulators who oversee the alcohol industry and promote public safety, was presented today by CAP Advisory Council member and former Arizona alcohol regulator Jerry Oliver at the Sixth Annual Alcohol Law Symposium held at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C.

“The Center for Alcohol Policy understands that alcohol regulators are the front lines of many great initiatives in the states aimed at keeping the alcohol industry properly regulated, promoting public health and safety and supporting a healthy business marketplace,” Oliver said. “This award highlights effective best practices that may serve as examples to alcohol regulators in other states.”

“Under Ms. Materre’s leadership, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission has vastly improved its customer service to the thousands of liquor license holders across the state, while ensuring compliance and licensing regulations are upheld and enforced,” Oliver said. “She also has worked with the legislature and has been a strong advocate for laws that help prevent underage drinking and a law that ensures a clear separation of the tiers in the independent three-tier distribution system in Illinois.”

“With strong leadership and a willingness to go out and meet with all of the community stakeholders in the alcohol industry, including the public health community, Ms. Materre is a very deserving recipient of this recognition,” Oliver added.

“J. Neal Insley was appointed to his current position with the Virginia ABC in 2010 when he immediately began focusing on a ‘progressive control’ model of leadership, which strived to balance growth in business and state revenue while positively impacting the health and public safety of Virginia communities. Under his leadership, numerous illegal alcohol operations – those creating ‘moonshine’ – have been stopped, which has helped state revenues and public health. In addition, Chairman Insley initiated and oversaw the first comprehensive review of ABC regulations since the mid-1990s. The review updated the provisions by removing many obsolete references and consequently made the regulations more pertinent and relevant to today’s marketplace.”

Oliver added, “In July 2012, Chairman Insley assumed the role of Chairman of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, taking the leadership he’d shown in Virginia to a national level. From operational improvements to industry collaboration, to a focus on education and prevention, Chairman Insley has demonstrated leadership and excellence in his role as an alcohol regulator.”

Click here to download a photo of Gloria L. Materre. Download a photo of J. Neal Insley here. For more information, please call (703) 519-3090 or email info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

###

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Center for Alcohol Policy Releases Survey Results on Public Attitudes on Alcohol Policy

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Americans are very satisfied with their alcohol variety, access and regulation according to a new bipartisan national poll commissioned by the Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP). Whether or not they choose to consume alcohol, Americans support the alcohol regulatory system currently in place in the United States.

“Americans overwhelmingly agree that alcohol is a unique product that needs to be regulated differently than other consumer products, and they also believe that today’s system of alcohol regulation works to protect communities while supplying consumers with great variety,” said Patrick Lynch, former Rhode Island Attorney General, former president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and current member of the CAP Advisory Council. “This national survey also shows that people think it’s important that decisions about alcohol are made at the local level by people who know the community.”

Key findings include:

Americans are very happy with the variety of alcohol options currently available to them and many are actively taking advantage of new brands every year. 

• 76% of adults are satisfied with the variety of alcoholic products that are available to them.
• 86% agree that it is easy to find a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor in their community.
• 67% agree that the current system of distributing alcoholic products has done a good job of making sure that local products from different states and regions are available all around the country.
• 75% of adults want to be notified if a new store that will sell alcoholic beverages could open in their community.

The current distribution system is recognized as the driving force behind the availability of new products and the economic benefits an industry expansion brings to communities.

• 75% agree that it is important to have state laws supporting the availability of new alcohol products and the independence of distributors and retailers in order to provide consumers with choice and variety in the marketplace.

Additionally, Americans do not think alcohol is just like other consumer products, and they support state regulations on alcohol that are not found on other consumer goods. 

• 81% believe states should regulate alcohol because it is different from other consumer goods.
• 89% agree that government regulation is necessary to keep people safe, in some instances.
• 82% support the current legal drinking age of 21 or older.

Americans also believe that local businesses that understand the local community should manage local alcohol distribution and sales. 

• 79% support the rights of states to determine their own laws and regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.
• 73% believe that local businesses should be in charge of alcohol distribution in their community since they better understand the preferences of the community.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 adults over the age of 21 was conducted by a bipartisan team of pollsters, Whitman Insight Strategies and WPA Opinion Research, on behalf of the Center for Alcohol Policy from August 12-14, 2013.

###

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Center for Alcohol Policy Chairman of the Board of Trustees Brian Clark today addressed attendees of the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s 76^th Annual Convention and Trade Show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, and introduced a new video explaining the origin of America’s state-based regulatory system.

“The Center for Alcohol Policy is an educational foundation focusing on state based alcohol regulation – the very basis of today’s effective system,” Clark said. “That effective system works to balance alcohol control with an orderly and competitive marketplace. This system also works to provide choice and variety for thirsty consumers while protecting the public and keeping communities safe.”

The new video features Center for Alcohol Policy advisors Brannon Denning, professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of law, and Jerry Oliver, Sr., former Arizona alcohol regulator and chief of police for Detroit, Richmond and Pasadena.

“The 21^st Amendment was important because not only did it repeal Prohibition but it also returned control over alcohol policy where it belongs, to state and local governments who can determine what kinds of policies serve the needs of their citizens best,” Denning said.

The video highlights the Center’s republication of the book Toward Liquor Control, which outlined how states could safely sell and serve alcohol following the repeal of Prohibition, and how the book is still helping shape policy today.

“It gives the tenets for why alcohol should be controlled at the local level, why states and local jurisdiction are to have the final say as to how alcohol is accessed and how it’s distributed,” said Oliver.

“It’s clear that what’s acceptable in Nevada isn’t necessarily acceptable in Utah,” added Denning. “The 21^st Amendment and the flexibility of state-based regulation allows those local differences to be taken into account.”

To learn more about the Center for Alcohol Policy and its programs – including the upcoming Sixth Annual Alcohol Law Symposium taking place October 23 – 25 in Washington, D.C. – visit www.centerforalcholpolicy.org.

###

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Former Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner and former Michigan House of Representatives Floor Leader Pat Gagliardi has authored a report, “The Need for State Alcohol Regulatory Funding: Fighting Deregulation by Defunding,” made possible by a grant from the Center for Alcohol Policy.

The report analyzes the number of alcohol enforcement agents in states across the country, their increasing workload and the scope of their duties, as well as the record number of licenses for enforcement agents to monitor.  It also outlines several suggestions for ways states can seek to increase funding for their alcohol beverage control operations.

Lesson Plan Teaches Rise and Fall of Prohibition

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Thanks to the work of the Bill of Rights Institute and the support of the Center for Alcohol Policy, educators across the country now have access to a comprehensive “Toast the Constitution!” lesson plan to teach students about the rise and fall of national Prohibition.

Developed in partnership with the National Constitution Center’s American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition exhibit, the lesson plan teaches students about the origins of the 18^th Amendment, the individuals and groups who fought for and against Prohibition, and the events that led to its eventual repeal with the passage of the 21^st Amendment.

As part of the lesson, students will use their new knowledge as well as their drawing skills to get classmates to identify and define key terms in a game of Prohibition Pictionary. Students also will learn about the roles of historical figures from the era by taking on their identities for a dinner party.

“It’s important for today’s youth to learn the important lessons of Prohibition and the history of our nation’s alcohol policies,” said Center for Alcohol Policy Advisory Council Member and Cumberland School of Law Professor Brannon Denning. “No other product in our nation’s history has been the subject of two constitutional amendments, the second of which gave each state the right to regulate it as they see fit.”

“The fascinating history surrounding the rise and fall of Prohibition offers a great lesson in federalism, and this new lesson plan presents these important topics in a fun and creative way,” Denning added.

Educators interested in downloading the lesson plan at no cost can visit the Bill of Rights Institute website at www.billofrightsinstitute.org.

 ###

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

The mission of the Bill of Rights Institute is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America’s Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society. It is the goal of the Institute to help the next generation understand the freedom and opportunity the Constitution offers.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) is pleased to announce that Joseph H. L. Perez-Montes, an attorney from Pineville, Louisiana, is the winner of its Fifth Annual Essay Contest.  The CAP national essay contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation. The topic of the 2012 contest was: “If a country were starting alcohol regulation from scratch, what regulatory framework would you advise it to create and why?”

Perez-Montes’ essay, “Twist the Cork, Pop the Top, and Bottoms Up: Selected Recommendations on Alcohol Regulation from Scratch,” examines the origins of the state-based alcohol regulatory framework that exists in the United States today, compares America’s alcohol regulatory policies to the regulations that exist in other countries and focuses on providing recommendations for minimum drinking age laws as well as civil “dram shop” and criminal liability statutes.

“Realistically, any framework governing the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol must be multi-faceted.  No single regulatory approach could adequately address all of the positive or ill effects of alcohol consumption,” Perez-Montes’ essay states.  “Sustained research on alcohol policy indicates that effective regulation should target numerous areas, including drunk driving policies, alcohol availability measures (such as licensing and minimum drinking age laws), alcohol marketing regulations, community-based prevention strategies, pricing and taxation regulations, and monitoring or surveillance activities.”

CAP Advisory Council member and Samford University Cumberland School of Law Professor Brannon Denning said, “In the United States, it’s important to look at the abuse of alcohol leading up to national Prohibition and the societal issues that arose during Prohibition in order to fully understand the state-based alcohol regulatory system put in place following passage of the 21^st Amendment.  This year’s essay contest gave citizens from across the country the opportunity to study our nation’s alcohol policies and to examine how other countries with different histories and cultures lack such an effective regulatory structure.”

Joseph Ojih, a professor at Baltimore City Community College in Maryland, was named the runner-up.

The winning entrants receive prizes of $5,000 and $2,500 respectively.

To read the winning essays, please visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org/essay-contest.

###

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

ALEXANDRIA, VA –  Former Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner and former Michigan House of Representatives Floor Leader Pat Gagliardi has authored a new report, “The Need for State Alcohol Regulatory Funding: Fighting Deregulation by Defunding,” made possible by a grant from the Center for Alcohol Policy.

“In repealing Prohibition a national consensus was achieved that alcohol could be sold legally again, but only under state control,” Gagliardi notes in his report. “In crafting alcohol policy today it is imperative that states understand both the history of alcohol regulation and the need for an effective regulatory structure.

“The fervor to cut budgets and anti-regulatory sentiment can lead to ill-considered changes in alcohol policy,” the report continues.  “There is a real danger that state alcohol control will be reduced to the point of ineffectiveness by overburdening the regulatory system that, to date, has been successful and has enjoyed overwhelming public support.”

“I have seen firsthand how law enforcement officers are struggling to do more with less funding and resources,” said Center for Alcohol Policy Advisory Council member Jerry Oliver, former Detroit Chief of Police, former head of the Arizona Liquor Control Commission.   “This report shines some much-needed light on an issue that can have big consequences in communities across the country.”

“The Need for State Alcohol Regulatory Funding: Fighting Deregulation by Defunding” analyzes the number of alcohol enforcement agents in states across the country, their increasing workload and the scope of their duties, as well as the record number of licenses for enforcement agents to monitor.  The report also outlines several suggestions for ways states can seek to increase funding for their alcohol beverage control operations.

“The reality is that smarter and better equipped regulation and enforcement of existing laws can result in increased tax revenue and improved public health and safety,” Gagliardi concludes in his report. “Advocates for retaining a strong state-run alcohol policy understand that sufficient resources must be dedicated to the regulation of alcohol to ensure a fair marketplace as well as reduce substance abuse and to protect the health and safety especially of children.”

For more information about the report, or to arrange an interview with the report’s author, please contact Pat Gagliardi at (517) 420-8860.

 ###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

DALLAX, TX – The Fifth Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium kicked off day two at The Fairmont Dallas in Dallas, Texas, with a panel discussion entitled “21^st Amendment and Supreme Court Roundup.” Presenters included Brannon Denning, CAP advisor and constitutional law professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama; and Lisa Soronen, executive director of the State and Local Legal Center, which files amicus curiae briefs in support of state and local governments in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Soronen gave a detailed overview of recent and upcoming cases impacting states’ rights before the Supreme Court and noted the heightened interest in preemption cases.  Denning examined the most publicized Supreme Court cases involving Arizona immigration law, the Stolen Valor Act and the Affordable Care Act and what the outcomes might mean regarding judicial attitudes toward alcohol policy. Specifically, the Supreme Court’s reluctance to expand the dormant Commerce Clause doctrine in recent preemption cases could bode well for 21^st Amendment cases, he said.

A panel entitled “Alcohol Pricing Regulation: Domestic and Abroad,” explored the law and policies behind pricing regulations and the future of this form of regulation.  Pam Erickson, president and CEO of Public Action Management PLC and former executive director of Oregon Liquor Control, moderated the panel, which included Bruce Livingston, executive director of Alcohol Justice; and Kyle Kaiser, assistant attorney general in the Office of the Utah Attorney General; who provided a detailed explanation of how a state attorney general responds to a price law challenge.

Erickson noted, “A balanced alcohol marketplace protects the public by keeping prices reasonable, outlets and availability limited and prevents aggressive sales practices.” She contrasted the balanced approach of the U.S. regulatory system with the United Kingdom, which deregulated alcohol over several decades so it is now sold almost anywhere 24 hours per day, is aggressively promoted and sold below-cost at supermarkets. As a result, she said, the country faces an alcohol epidemic characterized by increased rates of underage drinking and alcohol-related hospital admissions.

The Symposium concluded with a panel on “Legal Issues Facing Alcohol Distributorships,” moderated by Michael Madigan, managing partner of Madigan, Dahl & Harlan, P.A.  Alan Greenspan, general counsel for Glazer’s, Inc.; Walter Marston, partner at Marston & McNally, PC; and Andy Stepanian, general counsel at Silver Eagle Distributors in Texas; offered insights on ongoing legal, political and industry challenges to state alcohol regulation and explained the benefits of an independent three-tier system to consumers and the public.

To read live updates from the event, follow @AlcoholPolicy on Twitter using the hashtag #CAPLaw.  More details on speakers, education session topics and the Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

DALLAS, TX – The Fifth Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium began today with a welcome by CAP Advisory Council members Patrick Lynch, former Rhode Island attorney general, and Jim Hall, former National Transportation Safety Board chairman, who emphasized the Symposium’s value as a gathering of state alcohol regulators, public health advocates, members of the alcohol beverage industry and others interested in alcohol policy issues.

“This is an opportunity for a lot of different folks with different backgrounds to gather under one roof and have a civil debate on an important and timely subject,” Hall said.

Maryland Attorney General and National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) President Doug Gansler delivered a keynote address on the role state attorneys general play in regulatory, law enforcement and public health functions. Specifically, he emphasized the role attorneys general play in protecting the public and children from the abuses of alcohol.

Attorney General Gansler referenced the 21^st Amendment and stressed the importance of alcohol laws being made and enforced at the state level, with each state’s attorney general serving as “the watchdog in this arena,” as they work to enforce the laws passed by state legislatures. “Our job as attorneys general is not to make the law but to enforce the law.  When state legislatures pass a law, we defend it,” he said.

He cited the importance of a balanced approach to alcohol regulation and the involvement of parents, law enforcement, industry members and others in policy discussions at the state level surrounding underage drinking and drunk driving prevention, taxation rates for different types of alcohol beverages, as well as labeling and marketing practices involving flavored malt beverages or “alco-pops.”

Symposium attendees also heard from pollster Chris Wilson of Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research, who detailed findings of a new bipartisan national poll conducted on behalf of the CAP on public attitudes toward alcohol policy.  “Americans do not think alcohol is just another consumer product,” Wilson said.  “Americans still strongly support state regulations on alcohol.”

Wilson outlined poll data indicating that Americans support state restrictions on alcohol that are not found on other consumer goods; Americans believe that local businesses that understand the local community should manage local alcohol distribution and sales; and Americans do not want to replicate the United Kingdom’s disastrous experience with alcohol deregulation.  The survey findings are available online at www.CenterforAlcoholPolicy.org.

CAP Advisory Council member Jerry Oliver; former state alcohol regulator and former police chief in Pasadena, California, Richmond, Virginia, and Detroit, Michigan; moderated a panel on “The Impact of Alcohol Regulation on Local Law Enforcement,” which featured Frank Lyons, retired officer from the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement; Andy Acord, deputy chief of the Dallas Police Department; and Sgt. Jermaine Galloway of the Boise Police Department.  While law enforcement are on the front lines of enforcing alcohol policies in local communities, too often their input and expertise is not sought before new laws are passed.  The panelists stressed the importance of involving law enforcement early on in discussions surrounding changes to alcohol policies.

A panel on “The Latest on Drunk Driving Issues” featured an update from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National President Jan Withers and General Counsel John Ansbach, who described the components of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving included in the federal transportation bill as well as state initiatives involving ignition interlock devices and sobriety checkpoints.

Alcohol regulators, public health advocates and alcohol law attorneys also spoke on panels that discussed public health and alcohol, the STOP Act, alcohol deregulation by defunding and alcohol litigation against the states.

The Fifth Annual CAP Alcohol Law Symposium continues Tuesday, September 11, at The Fairmont Dallas in Dallas, Texas.  Additional details regarding speakers, education session topics and the Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

For live updates from the event, follow @AlcoholPolicy on Twitter using the hashtag #CAPLaw.

###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Center for Alcohol Policy Releases Survey Results on Public Attitudes on Alcohol Policy

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Americans want to keep in place state and local alcohol regulations to keep them safe, according to a new bipartisan national poll conducted for the Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP).

“Americans overwhelmingly agree that alcohol is a unique product that is not like other consumer goods, which is why they believe it needs to be treated differently,” said Patrick Lynch, former Rhode Island Attorney General, former president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and current member of the CAP Advisory Council. “This national survey also shows that people think it’s important that decisions about alcohol are made at the local level by people who know the community.”

Survey findings include:

Americans do not think alcohol is just like other consumer products, and they support state restrictions on alcohol that are not found on other consumer goods. 

• 72% believe states should regulate alcohol because it is different from other consumer goods.
• 79% believe that alcohol is NOT just like toilet paper and tin foil.
• 78% support the current drinking age of 21 or older.

Americans believe that local businesses that understand the local community should manage local alcohol distribution and sales.

• 81% support the rights of states to determine their own laws and regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.
• 76% support the rights of individual states to regulate the manufacture, sale and distribution of alcohol.
• 74% believe that local businesses should be in charge of alcohol distribution in the local community because they understand local preferences.

Americans do not want to replicate the United Kingdom’s disastrous experience with alcohol deregulation. 

• 72% agree that the U.S. should not follow the UK and remove alcohol regulation.

The United Kingdom’s high rates of youth intoxication; increasing cases of liver disease; and a rise in alcohol-fueled violence and public disorder have been well documented by the news media.  Prime Minister David Cameron has called binge drinking a major issue: “The crime and violence it causes drains resources in our hospitals, generates mayhem on our streets and spreads fear in our communities. My message is simple. We can’t go on like this. We have to tackle the scourge of violence caused by binge drinking. And we have to do it now.”

The national telephone survey of 1,010 adults over 21 and was conducted by a bipartisan team of pollsters, Whitman Insight Strategies and Wilson Research Strategies, on behalf of the Center for Alcohol Policy from July 22-24, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.

###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation. By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption. For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Winners of the Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Fourth Annual Essay Contest addressed the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, Inc. (NCSLA) annual meeting and conference today in Washington, D.C.  They spoke to attendees as part of a panel titled “Now That Alcohol Is Legal Again- How Should It Be Regulated? Toward Liquor Control 79 Years Later,” moderated by Executive Director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission Hobert Rupe.

The panel followed a keynote address by Daniel Okrent, author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, who provided a historical reflection on America’s experience with Prohibition.  The panelists included Laura Napoli, an attorney from New York, New York; Ryan Lozar, an attorney from San Diego, California; Jeremy Carp, a student at Macalester College; and Ashley Watkins, a law student at Duke University.  Each of their winning essays, which were distributed to attendees, addressed the CAP 2011 Essay Contest topic: The Importance of Toward Liquor Control to Modern Alcohol Policy.

Toward Liquor Control is the result of a study commissioned by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1933, which provided a blueprint for states to follow when determining their alcohol regulatory systems following Prohibition.  The CAP republished the book in 2011 to provide those interested in effective state-based alcohol regulation with a historical perspective and an understanding of why the system remains important today.  The original meetings of NCSLA brought the theories of Toward Liquor Control to life.

“Toward Liquor Control provides an interesting historical perspective but also a blueprint for what’s in place today,” Napoli said.

Lozar emphasized that the goal of Toward Liquor Control was to address public health and industry regulation, while Carp said that Rockefeller’s goal in commissioning the study was to promote social control and respect for the law.

Referencing the book’s continued relevance today, Watkins added, “Toward Liquor Control should be used by the courts to understand the value of a comprehensive state regulatory system and states’ rights.”

The book Toward Liquor Control can be purchased online at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.  It is also available as an iBook through Apple’s iBookstore, a NOOK book from Barnes and Noble and other popular e-book formats.

Each year, the CAP Essay Contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation and its implications for citizens across the United States.  For details about the 2012 CAP Essay Contest, please visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org/essay-contest.

###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

LANSING — Alcohol is different from other consumer products and requires different laws, a panel of alcohol policy experts said at a Center for Alcohol Policy forum this week in Lansing.

Brannon Denning, professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and CAP Advisory Council member, began the session by providing a global perspective on alcohol regulation, discussing factors that influence alcohol laws such as religion, ethnicity, climate and history. He recounted the history of America’s experience with alcohol, noting how unique it is for a product to be the subject of two constitutional amendments.  America’s history of abuses with alcohol leading up to national Prohibition is important to remember, he argued, in order to understand why we have the state-based alcohol regulatory system that we have today.

“According to national polling, over three-fourths of people say they understand that alcohol is different and needs different rules,” Denning said.

Steven Schmidt, senior vice president of public policy and communications at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, provided a national perspective of current alcohol regulatory and safety trends and described broad themes driving deregulatory efforts, including anti-government sentiment, state budget shortfalls, big retailers, alcohol abuse apathy and consumer and media perceptions that alcohol is just like any other product.

“The three-tier system and alcohol regulation in the U.S. has worked very well,” Schmidt said, indicating that America does not experience large problems with bootlegging, counterfeit products or a black market, which have proven deadly in other parts of the world that lack an effective regulatory system for alcohol.

Michigan Liquor Control Commission Chairman Andrew Deloney explained how Michigan’s alcohol laws guide the commission’s operations and described the goals of the Snyder Administration of creating a simple and predictable process for licensing, a system of certainty for decision making based on statute as well as open and accountable operations.

Howard Goldberg of Willingham & Cote P.C. in East Lansing spoke about the history of legal decisions impacting Michigan alcohol law and noted that actions by the state legislature indicate that its members clearly care about public health and safety. He also cautioned that policymakers should be cautious when developing legislation to assist in-state breweries and wineries due to the potential of court challenges.

Pamela Erickson, President & CEO of Public Action Management PLC and former executive director of Oregon Liquor Control, reiterated the theme that alcohol is not like other products on the market, and it should be sold, marketed and handled with a great deal of care because there is a high cost to getting it wrong.

Erickson contrasted the balanced approach of the U.S. regulatory system with the United Kingdom, which deregulated alcohol over several decades so it is now sold almost anywhere 24 hours per day, is aggressively promoted and sold below-cost at supermarkets. As a result, she said, hospital admissions for alcohol-related problems in that country have doubled in just 10 years and death rates have doubled since 1991.

“It pays to be very careful when considering deregulation as it will be difficult to revert back,” Erickson said.

The forum, “What’s Happening in the World of Alcohol Regulation,” was the third and final session of the CAP’s 2012 Michigan Alcohol Policy Forum Series held at the Radisson Hotel Lansing.

Session One of the series, “The Economic Impact of the Alcohol Industry in Michigan,” provided an overview of the alcohol industry in Michigan along with the impact of regulation. Session Two, “Public Safety and Law Enforcement in Alcohol Regulation,” explored the important relationship between alcohol regulation and alcohol law enforcement.

–###–

 The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

LANSING — National experts will discuss important alcohol regulation and safety trends affecting Michigan at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Lansing on Thursday morning.

In addition to exploring alcohol regulation and safety trends, the panel of national experts will provide a global perspective on alcohol regulation, discussing factors that influence alcohol laws such as religion, ethnicity, climate and history. The panel will consider the history of America’s experience with alcohol and discuss what current polling says about the public’s present day views on alcohol regulation.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees should register at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org. Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 a.m., with the program starting at 8 a.m.

The panel discussion, entitled “What’s Happening in the World of Alcohol Regulation,” is the third and final session in the Center for Alcohol Policy’s 2012 Michigan Policy Forum Series. Session One, “The Economic Impact of the Alcohol Industry in Michigan,” provided an overview of the alcohol industry in Michigan along with the impact of regulation. Session Two, “Public Safety and Law Enforcement in Alcohol Regulation,” explored the important relationship between alcohol regulation and alcohol law enforcement.

What

“What’s Happening in the World of Alcohol Regulation,” the third and final session in the Center for Alcohol Policy’s 2012 Michigan Policy Forum Series

Who             

• Andrew Deloney, chairman of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission
• Brannon Denning, Center for Alcohol Policy Advisory Council member and professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law
• Pamela Erickson, CEO of Public Action Management PLC and former executive director of Oregon Liquor Control
• Howard Goldberg of Willingham & Cote P.C. in East Lansing
• Steven Schmidt, senior vice president of public policy and communications at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association

 When

• Thursday, May 3, 2012
  • 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast/Registration
  • 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Welcome Remarks
  • 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion

 Where

• The Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand Ave. in Lansing

Registration

• Register online at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org. There is no cost to attend.

  –###–

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

LANSING – Michigan must stand firm against trends that threaten to water down the state’s system of alcohol safeguards and regulations, and policymakers should consistently weigh public health and safety as a priority, a panel of law enforcement leaders said at a Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) forum this week. The forum, “Public Safety and Law Enforcement in Alcohol Regulation,” was the second of the CAP’s 2012 Michigan Alcohol Policy Series held at the Radisson Hotel Lansing.

Jerry Oliver – former Detroit Chief of Police, former head of the Arizona Liquor Control Commission and current member of the CAP Advisory Council – said he has seen firsthand the harm alcohol abuses can cause to a community. He recounted how, as a young patrolman, police calls would ramp up between 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. when alcohol consumption patterns and associated problems increased. Today, with easier access and more outlets selling alcohol, he said alcohol-related incidents requiring police response are a 24/7 problem.

“As a former police chief, there are two issues law enforcement is concerned with – availability and accessibility,” Oliver said. “We’re concerned about the new business models emerging in the marketplace that really work against responsible alcohol consumption.”

Oliver cited more instances of alcohol being available at fast-food outlets, movie theaters, “pubs” on wheels, car washes and other places as increasing the risk of alcohol-related problems and illegal minor consumption. This also increases the burden on law enforcement, which are already struggling to do more with less funding and resources, he said.

Laura Fitzpatrick of the Muskegon Alcohol Liability Initiative (MALI) and MCHP/Mercy Health Partners said local communities like Muskegon must proactively tackle alcohol issues. Fitzpatrick said MALI works hand-in-glove with community partners in Muskegon, once known as the beer-tent capital of the world.

The MALI organization was originally formed in 2008 in partnership with Muskegon businesses and organizations.  It now coordinates law enforcement and prevention efforts. Fitzpatrick said local elected officials are important in this effort because they can pass tough local liquor ordinances. Their efforts ramped up after recent incidents in Muskegon, including a fatal drunk driving accident that killed three Muskegon youths and a house party that involved alcohol, a parent and 100 teens.

“We worked very hard to have safe festivals, safe drinking by responsible adults,” Fitzpatrick said. “We wanted to have compliance checks, we wanted to warn people. We enhance law enforcement patrols.”

Ingham County District Court Judge Don Allen, who also presides over Ingham County’s sobriety court, said enforcement of regulations, laws and safeguards are essential because of the strong public safety component. Allen said he presided over a case involving a drunk driving crash in Holt in January that killed four youths.

“There is nothing that saddens me more than cases of young people dying in incidents that are totally preventable,” Allen said.  He also warned adults not to provide alcohol to minors, even for consumption at home, because prosecutors will bring charges.

Don McGehee of the alcohol and gambling division in the Attorney General’s office said the office strongly supports Michigan’s current system of alcohol safeguards.

Scott Ellis of the National Hospitality Institute and Penny Norton of the Prevention Resource Group also presented their perspectives on the important relationship between public safety and the enforcement of alcohol policies.

Session One of the series, “The Economic Impact of the Alcohol Industry in Michigan,” was held on March 22 and provided an overview of the alcohol industry in Michigan along with the impact of regulation. The series will conclude with Session Three, “What’s Happening in the World of Alcohol Regulation,” on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at the Radisson Hotel Lansing.

 ###

The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org or follow the Center on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlcoholPolicy.

Alexandria, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy will continue its 2012 Michigan Policy Forum Series on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at The Radisson Hotel Lansing in Lansing, Michigan.

Public safety is one of the most important issues influencing alcohol policy decisions and enforcement. New concepts can challenge current alcohol regulation and weaken regulatory resources. Session Two of the series, “Public Safety and Law Enforcement in Alcohol Regulation,” will explore the relationship between alcohol regulation and alcohol law enforcement.

Who/Speakers:
The Honorable Don Allen, Ingham County District Court
Scott Ellis, National Hospitality Institute, Lansing
Laura Fitzpatrick, Muskegon Alcohol Liability Initiative, MCHP/Mercy Health Partners
Don McGehee, Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, Michigan Attorney General’s Office
Penny Norton, FACE – The Prevention Resource Group
Jerry Oliver, former Police Chief of Detroit, Center for Alcohol Policy Advisory Council

What:   2012 Michigan Policy Forum Series
Session Two: Public Safety and Law Enforcement in Alcohol Regulation