NEW YORK 10/3/2010 6:30:00 PM
Limits on alcohol advertising sought by American Academy of Pediatrics
Alcohol ads need further regulation AAP says
In an effort to help curtail drug abuse and alcohol consumption among minors, the American Academy of Pediatrics is launching a campaign to change the way advertisements are allowed to be displayed and distributed.
“It’s clear that advertising is the most effective means of communicating a message,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “And, the American Academy of Pediatrics is fighting fire with fire, which is exactly what is needed. When advertisers elevate alcohol or other substances not appropriate for minors to a level of glamour, or they imply that there is no fun without the use of such substances, it entices minors to try those products. We know that alcohol abuse is the number one substance abused and is one of the greatest problems in America which results in addiction treatment. Studies have shown that the younger a child is when they experiment with alcohol, the more likely they are to continue that experimentation into illegal, more lethal and highly addictive drugs. Alcohol is recognized to be one of the number one gateways to greater substance abuse. Enacting stricter regulations for advertisers could go a long way in changing the face of alcohol experimentation and abuse among minors.”
It is estimated that advertising may contribute up to 30% in the use of alcohol and tobacco and is especially effective on minors. A recently published study showed that mascots commonly used in alcohol ads were nearly 75% as readily identifiable as Bugs Bunny among fourth graders.
Among the hot points within their campaign, the American Academy of Pediatrics seeks to limit advertisement for alcohol when the audience is made up of more than 10% children. In addition, they are also requesting that the White House Office on Drug Control Policy conduct anti-teen drinking public service campaigns. They are also urging parents to become more involved in what media their children are exposed to and limit unsupervised media use.
Since its inception, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center has been committed to providing programs of prevention and creating ways that will help individuals to get and remain sober and commends any efforts of organizations to do the same.
The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as an on-staff Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specializations and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approach to addiction treatment over the past 12 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.
The program, along with its professional addiction treatment team, has earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Waters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.
If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have any questions, please contact Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center for a confidential inquiry at 800-762-5433.
