Promoting Responsibility In Our Community Powers Distributing recognizes that, despite state laws prohibiting people under the age of 21 from drinking alcohol, some minors still choose to drink illegally. Powers Distributing and its many suppliers strongly oppose illegal underage drinking, and for decades have played an active role by teaming with parents and educators to implement programs that help prevent underage access and illegal underage drinking. In 2005, Powers Distributing spent $83,468 promoting responsible drinking. Members of the National Beer Wholesalers Association are leaders in their communities as small business owners, civic activists, parents, religious leaders and philanthropists. As such, the 92,000 men and women of the beer wholesaling industry know that they are their own best advocates when it comes to eliminating illegal underage purchase and consumption of licensed beverages and drunk driving. The integrity behind promoting responsible and moderate consumption is only as strong as the persons advocating these invaluable social and cultural messages. Beer wholesalers play a vital role in their communities by sponsoring a vast array of programs that promote responsible consumption. The programs range from providing free taxi rides home for restaurant patrons who do not have a designated driver, to sponsoring alcohol-free after prom events and producing educational materials to help parents talk to their children about illegal underage drinking. Wholesalers also promote alcohol education initiatives that bring guest speakers into local schools and community centers. These are guest speakers who have made mistakes about alcohol, but have lived to retell their story and encourage others not to make the same mistakes. Working with their brewer partners, the families who distribute Americas beverage help ensure that the products they provide are consumed moderately and responsibly only by those of legal drinking age. Industry Links on Responsibility National Beer Wholesalers Association Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association Miller Brewing Company Coors Brewing Company MVParents Study Shows Parental Power in Stopping Underage Drinking New research by MVParents.com shows that nearly three out of four parents believe their children's friends and classmates have the most influence on when they start drinking alcohol. Yet contrary to what parents think, kids say mom and dad have the biggest impact on the choices they make. The MVParents.com report was commissioned by Coors Brewing Company in partnership with Search Institute®. The Report, based on an online survey of American parents with children between the ages of 11 and 20, measures parental involvement and attitudes when it comes to lifestyle habits of teens. Although 62 percent of parents surveyed in the MVParents.com report label themselves "inconsistent communicators" when it comes to serious conversations with their children, most parents want to be approachable. Eighty-nine percent of parents spend at least one day per week catching up with their teens to discuss what's going on at school and with their friends. In addition, more than 57 percent of parents report having dinner together as family at least five times per week. Teen Drinking Rates Fall to All-Time Lows As Alcohol Issues INSIGHTS went to press, the annual Monitoring the Future survey data was released. Drinking and heavy drinking dropped significantly among high school seniors in 2006. The % of 12th graders who consumed alcohol in the 30-days prior to the survey declined to 45.3% in 2006, down from 47% in 2005, and down from 54% in 1991. Similarly, the % of so-called "binge drinkers" among high school seniors fell from 28.1% in 2005 to 26.5% in 2006. Ten years ago, over 30% of high school seniors said they'd had 5 drinks on at least one occasion in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. The 2006 figures for high school seniors are the lowest recorded for both measures since the MTF study began in 1975. Drinking among younger students ticked up in 2006 following a sharp drop in 2005. (This article was printed in the December, 2006 issue of Alcohol Issues INSIGHTS) Powers financial commitment to underage prevention, responsible drinking by legal age consumers, and charitable donations. Powers Distributing commitment to preventing underage access and consumption of alcoholic beverages is more than just words. We back it up with a strong financial commitment. During the last three years we have spent nearly $20,000.00 supporting the Rockwell Project. We believe the money is well spent because of the strong message delivered by Jim to teens and young adults. In addition to the Rockwell Project we have purchased print ads in all of the newspapers in Metro Detroit promoting our "Drink Responsibly" program during the major holidays. In 2005 the cost of those ads alone was $12,000.00. These along with the numerous other charitable donations made by Powers Distributing to organizations promoting a responsible lifestyle message, are a few examples that we are doing our part to help cut down on over consumption by legal age adults and underage access. See the progress that is being made among high school students. There is also progress with college freshmen. Fatalities due to driving after drinking have also declined substantially during the past 20 years.   Testimonials and more "I just wanted to send you a note to say how much my school, Avondale Academy, appreciated the assembly with Jim Rockwell. He delivered a powerful message to all of us!" Thank You, Rene Swanson Principal Avondale Academy "This email is to thank you for having Jim Rockwell visit Pontiac Central. It is always good to expose the students at Pontiac Central with good speakers to show them what could happen if they make good or bad choices. I'm really thankful that you made that opportunity available to the students at Pontiac Central. It was a pleasure to meet you and in the future if there is anything that I could assist you with please feel free to contact me." Derek Wynns Pontiac Central "I just wanted to drop a line to thank you for sponsoring Jim Rockwell's presentation on Friday at Farmington Alternative High School. I thought Jim's message was great and it seemed to be well-received by our students. There is no better teacher anywhere than experience. We appreciate any opportunity we get to send this type of important message to our kids. In tough budget times such as we're experiencing now, it is an added bonus for us to have this opportunity at no cost to us. We appreciate the generosity of Powers Distributing Co. for sponsoring presentations, such as Jim's, to our at-risk youth." Russ Averill Farmington Alternative High School We want to thank you for bringing Mr.Rockwell into our school and taking care of the financial obligation.It was a great project for the students and staff of L'Anse Creuse Public Schools. We appreciate Powers Distributing and yourself for going the extra yard and caring about our students. Thanks so much, Dave Jackson L'Anse Creuse Public Schools Thank you letter from Billie Pambid of Clarkston's Renaissance High School Selected Articles from Alcohol Issues Insights January 2007 August 2006 March 2006 February 2006   Free Literature and Programs. While great progress has been made there is still significant work to be done to keep alcohol away from minors, to reduce drunk driving, and to promote responsible decision making by legal drinking age adults. Here are some of the programs available through Powers Distributing in partnership with its suppliers. "Beer Wholesalers: Promoting Responsibility in Our Communities" highlights the numerous programs beer wholesalers provide to promote alcohol safety and education across the nation. While these programs vary from state to state, they all share a common goal to promote responsibility and safety in the communities where our families live, work and play. Curtesy of the National Beer Wholesalers Association LETS TALK Reaching Out to Parents Lets Talk is a guide to help parents begin a dialogue with their children, ages 6 to 11, about alcohol and responsible decision-making. The guide is available in both English and Spanish, was created in cooperation with leading Psychologists, family counselors and law enforcement officials. Available free of charge using the form below. CAMPUS RESOURCE Reaching Out to Campus Communities Campus Resource is designed to help address alcohol consumption issues on college campuses. It contains tools and resources to aid college administrators and student leaders in the effort to encourage responsibility, prevent underage access and plan safe campus community events. Available free of charge using the form below. CELEBRATE RESPONSIBILITY Planning Safe Events Celebrate responsibility is designed to help those who plan events at which alcohol beverages are being served. The guide contains many elements helpful to planning safe community, business and commercial events. It also provides tips for prevent underage access, promoting responsible consumption and encouraging use of designated drivers and other safe ride programs. Available free of charge using the form below. 21 IT'S THE LAW Live Responsibility Live Responsibly Retail point of sale is made available by through the Miller Brewing Company that sends a direct reminder to adults at the point of purchase. Available free of charge using the form below. We I.D. For older teens and twenty year olds who may be contemplating using a fake I.D. at retail, Miller Brewing Company provides Point of sale material to alert customers that everyone under 30 should be prepared to show valid identification when making an alcohol purchase. WE I.D. point of sale material are available in a variety of sizes and formats. Available free of charge using the form below. THE ROCKWELL PROJECT Jim Rockwell is a motivational speaker who targets teens and other young adults in an effort to deter underage drinking. Several years ago Jim was involved in a life threatening alcohol related accident while he was in high school. After years of rehabilitation Jim's motor skills and sight remain impaired however he now travels around the country telling his story to thousands of high schools students each year. As high school graduations approach Powers Distributing invites Jim to Metro Detroit to deliver his sobering message to as many local school as possible. All fees and cost for this event are provided free of charge to the school requesting Jims service by Powers Distributing.