WJLA (ABC) Channel 7 in Washington, D.C. - whose location in the nation’s capital makes them even more influential than most local TV stations might be - has weighed in for the second time this month on the subject of underage drinking.  Channel 7 got it right for focusing the responsibility for preventing alcohol consumption by youth where it belongs:  on parents.  As the TV station — known for its “Seven on Your Side” slogan — pointed out in its report, “The number one thing parents can do is be parents, not pals. Stay on top of the kids. Supervise and network. Realize what kids are up against.”

This focus on parents represents a marked improvement on the station’s earlier effort this month on the issue of underage drinking, in which it accepted at face value a study by a researcher Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).  The CASA study argued that 17.5 percent of the alcohol industry’s revenue comes from underage drinkers. Interesting. Yeah, but get this: George Mason University’s Statistical Assessment Service (STATS) recently reviewed the CASA study and found that it was “riddled with errors.”  Based on the statisticians’ at George Mason University review of the calculations and assumptions, STATS writes of CASA’s research:  “The number of drinks consumed by youth under 21 is overestimated, the cost per drink is overestimated, the amount of drink attributed to abuse and dependence is overestimated, and the benefit to the industry of youth drinking and alcohol abuse and dependence is overestimated.”

Or as we baseball fans would put it:  CASA was 0 for 4, but then CASA has a history of being out on lots of there research! Not a good night at the plate - or in the field of research.

Here’s the deal: despite the accusations and flawed research of CASA and others, we don’t want young people’s (meaning anyone under 21 years of age!) business.  We don’t need it.  

We hope that parents will take Channel 7’s advice and step up to bat - and join us in our efforts to keep our products out of the hands of their kids.  We need not only Seven — but also more important, America’s parents — on our side in the battle against underage drinking. Check out what The Century Council has to say on parents and underage drinking. They have a dynamite website chock full of information that is very useful in the fight against underage drinking.

Listen, any underage drinking is too much. Dontcha just wonder why CASA persists in getting their figures wrong?

Cheers!

guy