Alcohol Distributors Join the Fight Against Underage Drinking

We watched closely this Tuesday as the House overwhelmingly passed (373-23) H.R. 864—The “Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking

Access to alcohol is a complex issue and must be addressed in a comprehensive manner. No one single approach can create change or effectively prevent the dangers of mixing teens and alcohol. Through the STOP Act, we can arm communities with necessary resources and materials to create a multi-angle approach. Funding for education and awareness programs, research, and grants to colleges, states and nonprofit organizations are vital in the effort to combat underage drinking. All of this is desperately needed in order to curtail minors’ illegal access to and consumption of alcohol.

The Senate should know that The STOP Act has wide-spread support. Passage of H.R. 864 by the House of Representatives included an unprecedented, unified effort from the members of WSWA, the National Beer Wholesalers (NBWA), The Beer Institute, The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and The Wine Institute. Combined with the support from well-known advocacy groups like MADD and SADD, we urge the Senate to pass H.R. 864 as soon as it can.

WSWA applauds Senators Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and Tom Osborne (R-Okla.) for their diligent efforts to get The STOP Act on the President’s desk.

Our communities need The STOP Act now. Now is the time for the Senate to take action. Now is the time to pass The STOP Act.