Alcohol Policy Experts to Convene in Boston at HHD-sponsored Conference

(February, 2003) Building on its longstanding commitment to reducing alcohol-related risks to young people, EDC’s Health and Human Development (HHD) Programs is hosting an international conference on alcohol policy. Over 300 researchers, advocates, health professionals, and civic leaders from around the country and abroad will convene on March 13-16, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts for Alcohol Policy 13, Prevention of Youth Alcohol Problems: Policy Approaches (AP13).

“The timing for this conference is very good. There’s a groundswell of concern right now about underage drinking, and the public is very receptive to creating environments that deter it,” said Joel Epstein, senior associate at HHD and conference coordinator for AP13. “Participants will hear the

results of research on the effectiveness of various policies, such as taxation, alcohol availability, licensing, alcohol outlet density, and policy approaches to reducing underage drinking.”

AP13 is the 13th in a series of conferences that began in 1981 in Charleston, South Carolina. Building on prior conferences, and the field’s growing capacity to replicate proven strategies, AP13 will examine how families, legislators, schools, employers, and communities can forge effective control policies – both formal and informal—and ensure their implementation. The theme of AP13 is Environment and Accountability: Who is Responsible?, with a focus on environmental measures.

AP13 offers benefits for both newcomers and those who have attended previous conferences. “This is the single periodic meeting that focuses strictly on policy measures to reduce alcohol related problems, according to Tom Colthurst, associate director of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention. “Each conference reports on both new research and trends in advancing policy decisions, as well as assessment of previously adopted policies. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to stay current with policy research, as well as interact with U.S. and international colleagues.”

AP 13 also offers a pre-conference seminar for those who may be new to the policy field or who want a refresher course on public policy approaches.

The conference has global significance as well. “In a global economy, alcohol policies have increasing relevance, especially when it comes to international trade agreements,” says Colthurst. “ In addition, there is much to be gained from cross-cultural and international research and policy applications on both domestic and international fronts.”

Featured speakers include Phillip Cook, professor of public policy studies at Duke University, who will speak on the economics of alcohol control, including taxation. Robin Room of the Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs at Stockholm University will offer an address entitled, “Preventing Alcohol Problems: Popular Approaches are Ineffective, Effective Approaches are Politically Impossible.”

Despite the fact that there is no single organization or centralized body to host the conference each year, the conference series has become self-perpetuating, having been hosted by a variety of organizations in South Carolina, California, New York, Michigan, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, DC, and Toronto, Canada. AP13 is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with in-kind support from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and other federal agencies

For more information or to register for the conference, visit the AP 13 website.