Legislation to Address Most Ignored Drug Problem In America Earns NCADDD Support

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Thursday, 16 May 1996

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) today (May 16) announced its support for comprehensive alcohol-related legislation introduced by Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-MA) that takes aim at the most ignored drug problem in America.

"While the alcoholic beverage industry is working overtime to reduce the effectiveness of prevention and education programs, it also continues to receive corporate welfare," said Jeffrey Hon, NCADD Director for Public Information, at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "Why should taxpayers subsidize industry efforts to sell their products overseas through the Market Promotion Program? And why should the industry get a $700 million tax break to advertise and promote a product that is the third leading cause of preventable death among Americans?"

Congressman Kennedy's omnibus legislation addresses six major areas of concern. It would establish new requirements for colleges and universities that receive federal funding to prevent binge drinking on college campuses; it would end corporate welfare for the alcoholic beverage industry; it would protect children from alcoholic beverage advertising; it would establish a federal requirement to analyze and monitor the impact of alcoholic beverage advertising on the American public, particularly youth; and it would improve consumer knowledge of alcoholic beverages through more explicit labeling information.

The legislation also includes the Sensible Advertising and Family Education Act (SAFE). Long supported by NCADD, SAFE would require health and public safety messages in all forms of alcoholic beverage advertising, similar to those that have appeared for decades in tobacco advertising.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. provides education, information, help and hope in the fight against the chronic and often fatal disease of alcoholism, and other drug addictions. Founded in 1944, NCADD, with its nationwide network of Affiliates, advocates prevention, intervention and treatment, and is committed to ridding the disease of its stigma and its sufferers of their denial and shame.

For more information, or to contact National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, see their website at: www.ncadd.org