www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Drivers on Czech roads will no longer be stripped of points for small speeding or a small quantity of alcohol in their blood as from Monday, August 1, when an amendment to the road law takes effect. …
The three-point penalty for alcohol up to 0.3 per thousands has been abolished. A higher quantity will be punished with seven points.
The zero toleration of alcohol, however, has been kept just as the ban on driving from six to 12 months for drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Drink and drug driving may be fined with 2500 to 20,000 crowns. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 08/1/11) praguemonitor.com, 08/1/11

Setting minimum prices for alcohol could help cut the near 700 million pounds wasted each year tackling its misuse, the health minister has said.
Edwin Poots said the Stormont Executive is still considering its options on the abuse of alcohol.
But his latest comments came after visiting his counterpart in Scotland where minimum pricing is also under debate. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 08/1/11) belfasttelegraph.co.uk, 07/25/11

The use of alcohol locks became mandatory as of Monday for all authorized vehicles taking children to school and daycare. An alcohol lock prevents a car from starting if a breathalyzer test shows the driver is over the legal limit.
The use of alcohol locks is from now on required in school and daycare transportation that has been organized by the municipality, the school or public facility, or is otherwise supported by the state or the municipality. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 08/1/11)yle.fi, 08/1/11

55 Peers der BZgA informieren in der Sommersaison über riskanten Alkoholkonsum.
Der Sommer ist Hochsaison bei den Peers der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA). Seit Mai sind die speziell geschulten jungen Menschen auf Festivals, an Stränden, bei Sport-Events und in Innenstädten unterwegs, um Gleichaltrige im direkten Gespräch über die Risiken von Alkohol zu informieren. In den bislang 270 Einsatztagen dieser Saison haben sie mit rund 27.000 jungen Menschen gesprochen. Mehr als 300 Einsatztage stehen bis Oktober noch aus.
Insgesamt sind für die BZgA in diesem Jahr 55 Peers in ganz Deutschland im Einsatz. Die Peer-Aktionen sind Teil der BZgA-Alkoholpräventionskampagnen „NA TOLL!“ und „Alkohol? Kenn dein Limit.“ und werden vom Verband der privaten Krankenversicherung e.V. (PKV) gefördert. Ziel ist es, jungen Menschen eine kritische Einstellung zu Alkohol zu vermitteln und sie für einen verantwortlichen Umgang mit alkoholischen Getränken zu sensibilisieren. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 30.7.11) themenportal.de, 29.7.11

When parents find out their teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, the family’s immediate focus is generally on getting help for the teen. But parents are often in great need of help themselves. They may need advice on what to say to their teen, how to evaluate whether he or she needs professional treatment and where to find the appropriate substance abuse treatment program if one is needed. A new toll-free telephone helpline is providing that assistance.
The Parents Toll-Free Helpline, 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373), is staffed by clinical social workers with practical experience in substance abuse prevention and treatment. … (Source: Join Together, 07/29/11)

Punishments for drunk driving vary widely by location, ranging from receiving a ticket to landing in jail for a first-time offense, according to USA Today.
When former NBA star and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose was sentenced this week in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield for drunk driving, he was ordered to serve 20 days in the county jail for his first offense. Had he appeared in nearby Pontiac, MI, he most likely would not have gone to jail, the newspaper reports.
States that require mandatory jail time for first offenders include Alaska, Tennessee and Georgia, while no jail time is required for first-time offenders in California, Connecticut and Indiana. Wisconsin gives first-time drunk drivers a ticket. (Source: Join Together, 07/29/11)

Latest figures from a national survey of 11-15 year old pupils suggests fewer young people are drinking, and are less accepting of drunkenness. However it also finds no clear trend in consumption levels for those that do drink. The findings come from an annual survey which in 2010 included 7,296 pupils from 246 schools.
Some key findings from the report includes:
Between 2009 and 2010 the percentage of 11-15 year olds who had tried alcohol fell from 51% to 45%.
In 2010, the mean amount consumed by pupils who had drunk in the last week was 12.9 units. Mean consumption levels have varied between 11.6 units and 14.6 units since 2007, with no clear trend. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 07/28/11)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a $1.1 million grant to the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) to provide support for states as they navigate the challenges and opportunities presented in the changing health and human services environment.
„Changes are rapidly occurring in health care financing with States playing an increasing role in policy and funding decisions affecting behavioral health prevention, treatment and recovery support services,“ said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. „The new, more flexible and streamlined block grant application and the technical assistance provided by NASADAD through this grant will help states maximize the use of limited substance abuse resources available to advance service delivery systems and deliver the best care for those in need.“ (Source: Medical News Today, 07/30/11)

Schweizer Absinth-Produzenten verärgern Franzosen mit Anspruch auf Namensschutz.
Nachdem das französische Parlament kürzlich das Absinth-Verbot aus dem Gesetz gestrichen hat, droht den Produzenten neue Unbill. Die Schweizer Kollegen im Val-de-Travers wollen den Namen schützen. Das stösst in Frankreich auf Unverständnis. (Quelle: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 28.7.11)

Following the institution of an Indiana law requiring anyone buying and carrying out alcohol to show identification, regardless of their age, state inspectors report fewer of the state’s liquor stores, bars and restaurants are selling alcohol to those under 21. Under a recent revision to the law, store clerks are no longer required to ask customers for ID if they reasonably appear older than 40. …
The Associated Press reports that State Excise Police conducted more than 5,000 inspections in the first half of 2011, in which people ages 18 to 20 accompany officers and try to purchase alcohol. They found that 8.8 percent of bars and restaurants violated the law, as did 4.3 percent of liquor stores, compared with more than 40 percent in 2009. (Source: Join Together, 07/28/11)