Anheuser-Busch Commends Kansas Legislature, Governor Sebelius for Enacting Tougher Underage-Drinking Legislation
ST. LOUIS (April 14, 2009) – Anheuser-Busch today applauded Governor Kathleen Sebelius for signing into law legislation aimed at preventing underage drinking in Kansas homes and the tragic consequences often associated with it. Sponsored by State Representative Joe Patton, H.B. 2165 makes it illegal for parents to recklessly allow minors to drink alcohol in their homes – and keeps them from enabling or condoning underage drinking.
“Providing alcohol for teen parties is irresponsible, illegal, and can have devastating consequences. We commend Governor Sebelius and the Kansas Legislature for cracking down on those parents who host these parties,” stated Andrew Baldonado, Anheuser-Busch vice president of state affairs, western region. “Research shows that most teens who drink obtain alcohol from parents or other adults, and this legislation, we hope, will help reverse that trend.”
H.B. 2165 also will help reinforce the progress that has been made in preventing underage drinking among Kansas youth. According to the federal government’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 81 percent of Kansas adolescents, ages 12 to 17, are doing the right thing by not drinking. In addition, fatalities in teen drunk-driving crashes in Kansas are down 14 percent since 2000 and 62 percent since 1982, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
For nearly three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of 600 independent wholesalers, including the 19 in Kansas, have led the alcohol beverage industry in alcohol awareness initiatives by promoting responsibility and respect for the law, investing more than $750 million in alcohol awareness and education programs and partnerships. This includes providing community-based programs that help parents talk with their children about not drinking; remind adults not to buy alcohol for teens or provide it to them at teen parties; and assist schools in reminding teens to make responsible decisions. For more information, visit www.beeresponsible.com.
Members of the media can contact the Anheuser-Busch Corporate Social Responsibility Office via the Anheuser-Busch Customer Call Center.