Program to deter underage drinking kicks off

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS - Anheuser-Busch Co. is funding a statewide program to help keep Nevada kids from using alcohol.

The company has joined forces with state and local leaders, business officials and law enforcement to deter the problem. This week the state kicked off the Stop Underage Drinking campaign by mailing out 72,000 fliers to Nevada households.

The fliers provide parents with six steps to follow to keep their children from drinking. They also offer a toll-free number that allows parents to obtain a free Family Talk guide. The guide teaches parents how to initiate a dialogue with their children about underage drinking.

"In the surveys that we've done, we've found that what the kids want most, more than anything, is parental involvement," Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said in announcing the program Friday.

The program targets youths ages 8 to 17 and costs about $100,000, but the entire bill is being paid for by Anheuser-Busch.

Francine Katz, Anheuser-Busch's vice president of consumer affairs, said Nevadans shouldn't be concerned that a beer company is spearheading the state's effort to get their kids to stop drinking.

"No company benefits when its products are misused," she said. "We want to keep our roads and our kids safe, too."

In addition to the flier, the campaign will provide free training to all alcoholic beverage sellers in Nevada to identify underage purchasers of alcohol. Free materials will be distributed to Nevada police about the Cops in Shops program, where law enforcement works in retail stores to identify minors trying to buy alcohol.

A series of professional speakers will address local middle and high school students on drinking and driving and handling pressure. A letter from Del Papa will also be sent to every alcoholic beverage retailer, encouraging them not to sell to minors.

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