Volume 39: September 20, 2010 Death of IU Student at Ball State Brings Student Reactions Drugs and Alcohol - the mix is often a fatal cocktail. In Muncie, an 18-year-old Indiana University student visiting friends died in a Ball State residence hall. He passed out after drinking heavily and using methadone, the coroner said, and apparently choked to death after vomiting. His friends woke up a few hours later, and found him unresponsive. This kind of tragedy repeats itself across the nation when students return to colleges in the fall. A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found that alcohol-related deaths among U.S. college students rose from 1,440 in 1998 to 1,825 in 2005, the most recent year for which data was available. BSU students are being sampled in an online poll in the wake of the death and being asked: What do you think of alcohol consumption at Ball State, a dry campus? The majority of students responding agreed with this statement: "It's not different than any other university." Click here for a student Point of View on that response from the Ball State Daily News. Sen. Merritt Wants to Curb Mandatory Carding for Alcohol Purchases Senator James Merritt In a newsletter to constituents, Indianapolis Sen. Jim Merritt announced he is authoring legislation to "reform" the mandatory carding law. Current law requires anyone selling carry-out alcohol to ask customers for ID regardless of age. Merritt says he will instead fall back on an old standard practiced by retailers for years-asking ID from customers who "appear" to be under 40. Retailers pushing for expanded Sunday sales targeted lawmakers in a campaign to undermine the carding law as soon as it was effective, posting signs in member stores such as Marsh to direct consumer complaints to lawmakers. RAD previously posted photos of these signs that were spotted around the state. One major newspaper also reported erroneously that there was no movement to change the law by retailers who are united under a campaign called Change It Indiana (previously known as Hoosiers for Beverage Choices). Merritt, who represents Indianapolis-area voters, said he is proposing the change due to various complaints he's received from senior citizens. However, the law passed without complaint and considerable support. The intent of the law is to take the judgment call away from clerks and servers who have to routinely check ID in every sales transaction. IABR Supports Ban on Spice The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers board voted to support state legislation that bans the sale of Spice, an unregulated herbal supplement that replicates the effects of marijuana. Local community ordinances have been passed around Indiana banning the substance, which is found primarily in convenience stores, tobacco stores and gas stations. Several legislators, including Ron Alting and John Barnes, have said they have plans to ban Spice and create penalties for users-as well as sellers. Under current law, there are no restrictions to sell the substance. Brad Rider, chairman of the association's board, is a member of the legislative committee of Drug Free Marion County and said his association's vote was a "no brainer." "Our allies on alcohol issues have made us aware that this is a substance that needs to be dealt with - and quickly," Rider said. "We are encouraging all retailers to discontinue sales as soon as possible." Indiana Wine Sales up 162 Percent New data for fiscal year 2010, which ended in June, shows that Indiana sold more wine than ever before - eclipsing 10 million gallons. And a look at alcohol sales since 1977 shows wine has grown 162 percent. Beer, however, is still king in terms of gallons - 124 million gallons were sold in the most recent year. Jeanette Merritt, marketing director for the Indiana Wine Grape Council, said Midwesterners have started to appreciate wine, which is no longer an "East Coast, West Coast thing." She noted that Indiana now has 48 wineries, and they work to introduce Hoosiers to wine and the winery experience. Merritt also said the increase in sales is likely related to an increase in the number of places to buy wine, including specialty shops. Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Speak Up, Make a Difference in Indiana Interested in politics, elections and outcomes?   You can submit questions to be asked of the U.S. Senate candidates this fall for a series of three upcoming debates in Indiana scheduled in Indianapolis, Vincennes and Fort Wayne.   Visit the Indiana Debate Commission website and post your questions online.   Anyone can submit a question to be considered and asked of the three candidates: Republican Dan Coats, Democrat Brad Ellsworth and Libertarian Rebecca Sink-Burris.   The questions are reviewed and screened by board members of the Indiana Debate Commission. If yours is selected, you may be asked to appear on the live broadcast and ask your question. Indiana Resource One of RAD's Community Partners in Marion County is Northern Light Christian Counseling.   Northern Light offers great classes for free or for low costs - dealing with teenagers, recovery and addiction, conflict resolution and more.   Many of the 90-minute evening classes at the Trader's Point Christian Church in Whitestown are free.   For more information, call the church and ask for Sandy Whybrew at 317-769-5557.   For information about the counselors, click here.   Help is only one phone call away.   Thanks to Stephanie Castle for the update. Visit our website: Project RAD www.ProjectRAD.com    Visit our partner blog: Save My Sunday www.SaveMySunday.com