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| Mixed Editorials on Mandatory Carding | |
Negative editorials are starting to appear around the state on mandatory carding suggesting the new law, which is effective July 1, is "absurd" and "very silly." The law requires customers purchasing alcohol for off-premise sales to be carded regardless of age. Failure to do so is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.  Here are two recent samples of negative editorials in Gary and Richmond. (Gary) Post-Tribune article
Here's another more moderate point of view from the Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne. (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette article
If you disagree with the opinions expressed in these editorials, we encourage you to contact the following editors and submit your own thoughts:
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| Hendricks County Tip Line on Underage Drinking | | The Hendricks County Substance Abuse Task Force is operating an underage drinking hotline that is making a difference, reports Annie Stumm.
Annie serves as project coordinator for the task force and saw our recent RAD newsletter request for any info on Indiana hotlines. The SMART program, which stands for Stopping Minors with Alcohol Response Teams, will respond to calls with local law enforcement.
Stumm reports that the hotline is being supported by the Hendricks County Communication Center and grew out of a program started by the Pittsboro Police Chief. The project is coming up on its one-year anniversary.
The official Tip Line number is 317-837-2474. |
| Making a Difference: Pulling Drinking Games from Retail Shelves | |
 When a shopper visiting T.J. Maxx noticed an unusual array of drinking games assembled in a New Hampshire store just in time for graduation and Father's Day, she decided to do something about it. With a single call, she found the store took ultimate retail responsibility and removed the products from the shelves within 24 hours. The corporation also owns Marshalls, Home Goods and A.J. Wright - about 2,600 stores worldwide. "We believe our decision reflects our values of integrity and respect for our customers,'' wrote Sherry Lang, senior vice president of global communications for TJX Companies Inc. In January 2007, Kohl's and Target stopped selling drinking games, too, but only after a letter campaign and protests by The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and Join Together, a public health project at Boston University. But this happened only after some 2,000 people made phone calls, sent e-mails, and complained in person to store managers. Can you make a difference, too? Read the full story here. |
Beer Sales Down Nationwide | |
According to Advertising Age, the $100 billion U.S. brewing industry is staggering into its crucial selling season from its weakest position in years. Sales for 11 of the biggest brands fell in the four weeks that ended May 16, according to SymphonyIRI.
"I've never seen so much red ink on a spreadsheet in all my years in this business," said Harry Schuhmacher, publisher of Beer Business Daily, of the figures, which account only for food, drug and convenience stores. "It's really disconcerting."
What's happening? People are drinking less. Industry shipments are down 4 percent, according to the Beer Institute.
Several factors play into the trend, key among them the recession. MillerCoors Chief Marketing Officer Andy England said that unemployment remains particularly pronounced among the 21- to 35-year-old men who are the primary targets of beer companies, and also among Hispanics, another key segment.
In many cases, they're opting for cheaper brews, or saving their consumption for a special occasion by splurging on craft-style beers. |
| CADCA Offers How-To Webinar Seminar: Using Photos and Video | |
The National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute is offering a 1.5-hour webinar sharing best practices of community groups that use photo and video sharing sites. The webinar will cover YouTube, Flickr and PhotoBucket basics.
The online seminar is scheduled Wednesday, June 16, from 3-4:30 PM EDT.
Project RAD also uses a video sharing site called Vimeo and finds it to be a useful link especially for sharing lengthier videos, such as the Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County's legislative town hall forum in Lafayette taped last fall.
If you want to create a buzz through members, stakeholders, partners and funders, register by Monday, June 14, 5 p.m. EDT.
For more information:
Call 1-800-542-2322, ext. 260
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| Public Records Workshop: Tips from an Expert | |
David Cuillier | The Indianapolis Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists hosted a recent public records workshop. David Cuillier, a University of Arizona professor and SPJ's Freedom of Information Committee Chairman, is on a cross-county road trip offering tips on records access issues and made one of his stops in Indy. Project RAD wants to give you some quick info and resources from the workshop. Fast Facts on Indiana's Access to Public Records Act
- All public records are presumed open to the public unless a statute says otherwise.
- The Act applies to all local/state agencies and some court records.
- Copies of public records are usually 10 cents per page. In Indiana courts, copies run as high as $1 per page.
- An agency has 24 hours to respond to a records request if it is made in person. An agency has 7 days to respond if a request is made in writing or email. However, the response may be only that they received your request. There is no end limit in Indiana law by which the agency must comply.
Indiana is one of the few states in the nation with a Public Access Counselor who acts as an informal mediator for the public. The PAC is a person who is appointed by the governor. A few other resources: Indiana Coalition for Open Government |
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