Underage Drinking

Our Programs

As part of Anheuser-Busch's underage-drinking prevention efforts, we've developed the following initiatives:

• Family Talk About Drinking – Recognizing that parents have the greatest influence on their children's decisions about drinking, Family Talk encourages open, honest communication between parents and children. Developed by an advisory panel of education, family counseling, child psychology and alcohol treatment professionals, the Family Talk parent guide is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. More than 7 million copies have been distributed free to parents and educators by Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of distributors. Videos are available in Spanish and English. For more information, visit www.familytalkonline.com.
• Operation ID/We I.D. – Anheuser-Busch and its distributors offer retailers training and a variety of materials that help them check and verify valid I.D.s. These materials include We I.D. signage and stickers at retailers that remind consumers they will be ask to show I.D. before purchasing alcohol; We I.D. cards (available in English, Spanish and Korean) that list tips on how to spot fake IDs; drivers license booklets that feature photos of valid driver's licenses from all 50 states, U.S. territories and the Canadian provinces; and wristbands that retailers can use to identify customers who have already shown proof of legal age.
• Prevent. Don't Provide – Research from the 2003 National Academy of Sciences has shown that youth usually obtain alcohol — directly or indirectly — from adults. Our Prevent. Don't Provide program reminds parents and other adults not to buy alcohol for minors or provide it to them at parties – no matter the occasion. The National Fatherhood Initiative, The International Association of Fire Chiefs and The Association of Junior Leagues International support this campaign. For more information, visit www.preventdontprovide.com.
• Federal government’s “We Don’t Serve Teens” program – For the third consecutive year, Beer Institute (BI) and its members are proud to highlight the federal government’s “We Don’t Serve Teens” program that provides parents and other adults with tools and information they need to reduce teen drinking.  BI and its members share the government’s concern over research indicating that most teens who drink get alcohol from parents and other adults.  BI and its members fully support the program's message that serving alcohol to teens is unsafe, illegal, and irresponsible.
  
  The Federal Trade Commission, as part of this consumer awareness effort, has chosen to increase awareness of this important message during the month of September, when schools around the country are back in session for a new year. Beer Institute and several member companies are highlighting the “We Don’t Serve Teens” campaign on their Web sites.  In addition, brewers have secured bus shelter, print, and other advertising to enhance recognition of the “We Don’t Serve Teens” message and direct the public to the program Web site.
 
• Speakers Bureau – Members of Anheuser-Busch's Corporate Social Responsibility Speakers Bureau deliver messages of responsibility and respect for the law to students, parents, educators, community groups, and military personnel around the country.
  • It's Your Choice – Michael Chatman, a former gang member and son of an abusive father, shares his message of self-empowerment and personal responsibility and helps students realize that despite peer pressure and the many other challenges they may face, underage drinking is not the answer. More information.
  • Stepping Into Adolescence – Dr. Lonnie Carton, a nationally-recognized educator and family counselor presents a program for parents of middle-school children to help maintain open communication during the middle-school years and throughout adolescence. More information.
  • A Taste of Reality – Emergency-room nurse Linda Dutil provides middle- and high-school students with a hands-on look at treatments for alcohol poisoning and drug overdose, while teaching effective skills for resisting peer pressure and for making smart, responsible choices. More information.
  • Check Into A Winning Life – Bob Anastas, founder and former executive director of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), brings parents and students a motivational message on how teens can use positive peer pressure, networking, and conflict-resolution skills to help make smart choices. The program emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and leadership. More information.
  • Street Smart – This interactive presentation by a two-person team of certified firefighters/paramedics reminds students of the dangers of teen drinking, drunk driving, illegal drug use, and not wearing seat belts. The presenters take participants into the real-life drama they experience as they work to save the lives of youths who have made poor choices. More information.
  • Living Proof – Poor choices can have drastic consequences – and Sarah Panzau is Living Proof. Sarah, a former student-athlete, shares her experience as a victim of her own drunk-driving crash and talks to students about peer pressure, knowing your true friends, rising above disabilities, and making smart choices. More information.
  • A Survivor's Story – As a victim of a serious car crash, Adam Blomberg M.D., tells a compelling story of his long road to recovery in A Survivor's Story. As a survivor, he has dedicated his life to creating public awareness about the importance of responsible driving. More information.
  • Courage to Care – Carolyn Cornelison holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University where she worked as director of the Campus Alcohol and Drug Information Center for four years while advising both BACCHUS & GAMMA. She also spent eight years as a national staff member for the BACCHUS & GAMMA Peer Education Network. Carolyn’s program is a realistic discussion with students that focuses on college drinking, taking responsibility, recognizing abuse and helping those with alcohol problems. More Information.