"Milk Sucks" Campaign Sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Wednesday, 15 March 2000

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) is not amused by the "Milk Sucks! Drink Beer" campaign sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

College students need no encouragement to drink beer; according to the most recent statistics, 54% of young adults between the ages of 18-25 are binge drinkers, which means they consume five or more drinks in a row at one sitting. Binge drinking has been identified by college administrators as the biggest problem facing higher education today and is linked to loss of life, date rape, violence and crime, as well as poor academic and athletic performance.

Furthermore, according to the 1995 US Dietary Guidelines, "alcoholic beverages supply calories but few or no nutrients."

This campaign does a grave disservice to groups such as ours who are working to prevent alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. Surely People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals can find an alternative beverage that threatens neither the humane treatment of animals nor the health of human beings. Water comes to mind. It may not be as funny to college students but for millions of people, alcohol--the number one-drug problem in America--is no laughing matter.

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