For the third consecutive year, Beer Institute (BI) and its members are proud to highlight the federal government’s “We Don’t Serve Teens” program that provides parents and other adults with tools and information they need to reduce teen drinking.  BI and its members share the government’s concern over research indicating that most teens who drink get alcohol from parents and other adults.  BI and its members fully support the program's message that serving alcohol to teens is unsafe, illegal, and irresponsible.

 

The Federal Trade Commission, as part of this consumer awareness effort, has chosen to increase awareness of this important message during the month of September, when schools around the country are back in session for a new year.  Beer Institute and several member companies are highlighting the “We Don’t Serve Teens” campaign on their Web sites.  In addition, brewers have secured bus shelter, print, and other advertising to enhance recognition of the “We Don’t Serve Teens” message and direct the public to the program Web site.

 

 

Support of this effort is just one example of the brewing industry’s commitment to the legal and responsible consumption of its products.  Throughout the nation, the producers and distributors of malt beverages are deeply involved in the communities in which they do business. They share a long-standing commitment to reducing illegal activities such as underage drinking, drunk driving, and other types of alcohol misuse. In fact, brewers and distributors have spent more than $675 million to support public safety, education and prevention campaigns to curb alcohol abuse.  Brewers are leaders in providing information to the public urging safe and responsible alcohol consumption through support of effective awareness and prevention programs.  Below is additional information on some of the programs brewers provide parents to help prevent underage drinking.

  

Examples of Resources for Parents

College Talk        

Designed for parents of college-bound students, College Talk helps parents continue communicating openly and honestly on the subject of drinking as students prepare for college and begin a life on their own.  The free guidebook is available on line and is written by an advisory panel of education, family, and health professionals.

 

Facts & Conversations Series by the Health Alliance on Alcohol (HAA)
A brewer helped develop the HAA, a national education initiative on underage consumption of alcohol through parent/child communications.  HAA member organizations include the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System, White Plains Hospital Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, and the brewer.  The series of nine physician-authored books, available in English and Spanish, are offered online with subjects including underage drinking, peer pressure, alcohol and driving, prom and graduation, and spring break.  

 

Let's Keep Talking       
A guide to help parents of teenagers talk with their children about making responsible decisions, including the decision to wait until they are 21 to consume alcohol, and remind teens of societal expectations that they obey the law and the consequences of making poor decisions.  The brochure, available in English and Spanish, was created with the assistance of an advisory panel of experts in the fields of education, family therapy, law enforcement, and student health and wellness. 

 

Prevent, Don’t Provide 

This program recognizes the important role parents and other adults play in the fight against underage drinking.  According to government research, teens who drink say they usually get alcohol from adults.  Prevent, Don’t Provide reminds parent and other adults, through advertisements and point-of-sale materials, to do their part in preventing underage drinking by not buying alcohol for those under 21 or providing it to them at teen parties, no matter the occasion.

MVParents.com
This brewer-sponsored Web site provides parents with asset-building tools and information to support them in being the "most valuable players" in their children's lives.  Research shows that the more Developmental Assets young people experience, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors including underage drinking.  Search Institute, a national leader in generating cutting-edge ideas, research and strategies for growing healthy, thriving children and adolescents, provides all the parenting content and tools on MVParents.com.  National advertising has been used to increase awareness of the site.