www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Positive alcohol outcome expectancy has consistently been linked with problematic drinking, but there is little population-based evidence on its role on early stages of drinking in childhood. The present study seeks to understand the extent to which drinking of family members is differentially associated with the endorsement of alcohol expectancy in late childhood.
Conclusions: Individual tailored strategies that address family influences on alcohol expectancy may be needed in prevention programs targeting drinking behaviors in children. (Source: BMC Public Health 2011, 8 February 2011)

Identifying Links to Drinking May Lead to Drug Treatments Tailored to Your DNA.
Millions of Americans know all too painfully that alcoholism runs in families.
Children of alcoholic parents are four times as likely to develop drinking problems as the general population. Sons of alcoholic fathers face up to nine times the usual risk. Even babies of alcoholics adopted into non-drinking homes have nearly the same risk of alcoholism as they would if they’d stayed with their biological parents, studies have shown.
But untangling just which genes pass along the predisposition for problem drinking is devilishly difficult—largely because alcoholism itself is so complex. Genes that affect how fast the liver metabolizes alcohol and how the brain reacts to stress, reward and pleasure have all been implicated, as have genes for anxiety and depression. Some overlap with genes for nicotine, cocaine and other addictions. … Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/07/11) online.wsj.com, 02/08/11

A Slidell City Council member is proposing designating a stretch of the city’s parade route as alcohol- and smoke-free. Councilman Buddy Lloyd wants to make a one-block area along Gause Boulevard near Ninth Street a family-friendly zone. The issue goes before the City Council on Feb. 22. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/01/11) wdsu.com, 01/31/11

A push by the Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) for health advisory labels to be placed on alcohol containers warning of the dangers of consuming alcohol while pregnant is a step closer.
A Trans-Tasman food labelling review panel has just released its recommendations calling for suitably worded warning messages about the risks of consuming alcohol while pregnant be mandated on individual containers of alcoholic beverages and at the point of sale for unpackaged alcoholic beverages.
The independent panel, commissioned by the Trans-Tasman Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, also recommended generic alcohol warning messages be placed on alcohol labels but only as an element of a comprehensive multifaceted national campaign targeting the public health problems of alcohol in society. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 01/31/11) voxy.co.nz, 01/31/11

A bill introduced in North Dakota would ban alcohol use and possession at college sports events where minors are present, the Associated Press reported Jan. 14.
Rep. Chuck Damschen (R-Hampden) of the N.D. House of Representatives put the proposal forward to cut down on underage drinking. If the bill passed, alcohol would be prohibited in stadiums, arenas, and at tailgate parties where minors are present. (Source: Join Together, 01/28/11)

● Of the estimated 188,981 alcohol-related emergency department (ED) visits made by patients aged 12 to 20
in 2008, 70.0 percent involved alcohol only, and 30.0 percent involved alcohol in combination with other drugs
● Illicit drug use was indicated in more than two thirds (68.4 percent), and pharmaceutical drugs were involved
in more than one half (55.1 percent) of ED visits involving alcohol in combination with other drugs among patients aged 12 to 20
● Among adolescents aged 12 to 17, 3 in 10 (30.2 percent) alcohol-related ED visits made by females involved other drugs, whereas more than 2 in 10 (22.9 percent) of such visits were made by males; among young adults aged 18 to 20, about one third of such visits made by both males (31.9 percent) and females (33.3 percent) involved other drugs
● Of patients aged 12 to 20 who made alcohol-related ED visits involving other drugs, nearly two thirds (64.5
percent) had no evidence of follow-up care (Source: Alcohol Reports, 01/27/11) dawninfo.samhsa.gov, 01/13/11

Alcohol Action Ireland has has demanded restrictions on the sale of alcohol and for the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol.
Alcohol Action Ireland is the national charity for alcohol-related issues. It called for all political parties to commit, in the run-up to the election, to doing something about the detrimental impact of alcohol on children…. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 01/25/11) newswhip.ie, 01/25/11

This report presents the results of a study of substance use among young people in Ireland based on information collected in 2008 during face-to-face interviews with 991 people, aged between 15 and 18. The target population comprised school-attending students and young people who, having left school, were attending either a Youthreach centre for education or FÁS Community Training Centre. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 01/18/11) nacd.ie, October 2010

Acculturation stress may be part of the reason some Mexican and Mexican-American teens living in the U.S. report high rates of marijuana and alcohol use, Fox News Latino reported Dec. 30. …
The study, led by Jennifer A. Kam, assistant professor of communications at Ohio State University, found that increases in perceived discrimination over time were related to increases in acculturation stress, which in turn were associated with increased risk of alcohol, pot, and tobacco dependence. (Source: Join Together, 01/11/11)

The Free The Bowl contest is open to youth 10-20 years old. The deadline for 30-60 second counter-beer-ad video entries is January 24, 2011. Winners will be announced during the Free The Bowl 2011 World Premiere, February 3, 2011, at the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, California. (Source: Marin Institute, 1/11/11)