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Oregon Privatization Ballot Initiatives Dropped

June 4, 2014

 

Oregon State Liquor Store
Photo courtesy of oregonlive.com.

After failing to convince the Oregon Legislature to take up their cause, liquor privatization proponents dropped two November ballot initiatives to dismantle the state monopoly and allow grocery stores to sell liquor. Oregonians did not show much support for privatization thus far, despite the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and grocery chains Safeway and Fred Meyer pouring money into the privatization effort. Oregonians for Competition said they'll be back in the 2015 legislative session and if necessary, the 2016 ballot, but for now, the privatization battle is on hold.





What People Are Saying About Powdered Alcohol


The following comments are a sampling of responses sent to Federal and State regulators and legislators in response to Alcohol Justice’s Action Alert calling for a ban on powdered alcohol.


"My son died 12 months ago of an overdose of a combination of alcohol and fentanyl.  For over 11 years he struggled with addiction. He began using alcohol before he was 15. A product like Palcohol makes alcohol even more attractive to youth.  There is no need for a product like this. Liquid alcohol is available legally and is extremely accessible. This products only purpose is to make it easier to use alcohol in situations where it should not be used." Mary N

"I am the Community Mobilizer for the Upper Merion Community Alliance for a Safer Tomorrow, a coalition which aims to prevent youth drug abuse.  I am quite concerned about the possibility of a new product, Palcohol, wreaking havoc on our community as well as communities across America." Susan S

"As a substance use prevention specialist and registered nurse I have seen the damage done to our youth by the ingestion of legal and illegal substances.  Manufacturers market substances that appeal to young people by creating items that are targeted on hooking new and younger audiences to their products.  There is no good reason to add powdered alcohol to that list." Patricia M

Read more ...

NH Advocates Help Kill Alcohol Billboard Bill

May 9, 2014

nh house
New Hampshire Youth to Youth members
testifying before the House Commerce and
Consumer Affairs Committee on April 9,
2014.

The New Hampshire House acted to protect youth from alcohol advertising by killing SB 329, a bill that would have revoked a 25-year state ban on billboard alcohol advertising. Public health advocates were key to the bill's defeat, organizing a successful campaign that included youth testimony at a hearing before the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. “Community coalitions and local groups work daily to prevent and reduce underage drinking and excessive alcohol consumption, we’re grateful to have the Legislature recognize and support those efforts,” Linda Saunders Paquette, executive director of the non-profit New Futures, said.

Read Alcohol Justice's letter in opposition to SB 329 here.