ALEXANDRIA, VA – Throughout the month of April, the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) will be recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month, as designated by the U.S. Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to raise awareness about the problem of alcohol abuse.
“Alcohol is a unique product that is not for everyone,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “National Alcohol Awareness Month is a great time to recognize that alcoholic beverages need to be effectively regulated so they are not abused and do not end up in the hands of those under the legal drinking age. Responsibility begins with effective regulation, and the U.S. has been fortunate to have an effective system of alcohol regulation in place for more than 75 years – a system that allows the states to decide how best to regulate and track alcohol within their borders.”
The 95,000 American men and women of the beer distribution industry and state-based regulation of alcohol play a critical role in the effort to eliminate alcohol abuse of all types, including drunk driving and the underage purchase and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is not like other consumer goods and can have consequences if abused. That’s why beer distributors are regulated and work to take steps to ensure the safe and legal sale of alcohol, fight efforts to weaken regulations that provide a safe and orderly marketplace and participate in programs that promote alcohol education initiatives and responsible consumption only by adults of legal drinking age.
NBWA encourages parents and community leaders to utilize SAMHSA resources that can help educate young people about the dangers of underage drinking and the importance of making healthy choices. More information about these resources can be found at www.stopalcoholabuse.gov <http://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/> or at www.nbwa.org <http://www.nbwa.org/> .
To read about responsibility initiatives America’s beer distributors have launched in their local communities, visit www.distributorresponsibility.com.