February 26, 2009
In this issue:
Oregon Partnership Supports Long-Overdue Increase in Minuscule Beer Tax!
Oregon Partnership has thrown its support behind an increase in the Oregon beer tax, which hasn't been raised in 32 years. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland), would increase the less-than-a-penny tax on a 12-ounce can or bottle of beer to 15 cents.
The increase would raise approximately $320 million in the next two years to be used for alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery services as well as about $114 million for the general fund.
Click here to read the rest of Oregon Partnership's news release.
Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse Increases Among Young Adults from 2002 to 2007
Adults aged 18 to 25 currently using pain relievers for non-medical reasons increased from 4.1 percent in 2002 to 4.6 percent in 2007, according to a report based on a series of nationwide surveys.
The report, released this month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), says 1.5 million of these young adults used prescription pain relievers non-medically in the past month in 2007.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Click here to read the report.
Groups Urge the NBA to Ban Courtside Booze Ads
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and dozens of health, youth advocacy and other organizations are urging the National Basketball Association (NBA) to reverse its decision to allow courtside hard-liquor advertisements and other alcohol promotions on team web sites, retail locations and inside arenas.
In a letter to NBA Commissioner David J. Stern, CSPI and dozens of other groups, including the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Society for Adolescent Medicine, urged the NBA to reconsider its decision and ban all alcohol advertising, including beer, during its telecasts.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Spring Break: Have Fun, Be Active, Stay Healthy
Oregon Partnership and Community Action to Reduce Substance Abuse (CARSA), a coalition dedicated to substance abuse prevention in Portland and Multnomah County, is poised to launch a Spring Break campaign for parents, adolescents and teens that encourages safe and healthy alternative activities.
The campaign is part of the statewide Face it, Parents underage drinking prevention initiative. A list of suggested activities and links will be featured on Oregon Partnership's Web site, orpartnership.org. Free bus passes for the week of March 23 on the Portland area's public transit system will also be available on the Web site, while supplies last.
As part of the campaign, Multnomah County Sheriff Bob Skipper and Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer collaborated on a letter to parents that raises awareness about the harms of underage drinking and features parent tips for ensuring a healthy and safe spring break. Youth-developed radio and TV ads will also air.
Click here to view the letter.
Save the Date: 6th Annual Truth, Lies & Videotapes
The 6th Annual Truth, Lies & Videotapes Premiere Night, a youth media project designed to engage high school students in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, will take place Friday, April 10, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Umpqua Community College's Jacoby Auditorium.
The Truth, Lies & Videotapes project is hosted by Umpqua Partners for a Drug-Free Future, a community coalition dedicated to preventing and reducing substance abuse in Douglas County.
Click here for more information.
Liquor Ads Return to Prime Time
Local CBS affiliates in Los Angeles and 14 other cities aired ads for Absolut Vodka during the Grammy Awards broadcast earlier this month, the first time in years that hard-liquor ads have been aired on network television. Such ads have been shown on cable TV for about the last decade, but the volume has tripled between 2001 and 2007, experts say.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Do you have information to share with your prevention colleagues around the state? Please send to: dslifman@orpartnership.org.
Thank you for your continued support of this publication.
