Old Navy T-Shirts Getting National Attention

From the recent e-newsletter from CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America)….It all started with one letter from a prevention specialist in Bend, Oregon. On a recent back-to-school shopping trip, Cameo Chambers found t-shirts promoting binge drinking in her local Old Navy store.

 The shirts carry messages such as “Beer Pressure – Worth Giving In To!” and “Sloshball Champions – Staggerin Falls, Hi.”

 She wrote to the company and shared her concern with Oregon Partnership, a statewide organization dedicated to ending substance abuse and suicide. In response, Oregon Partnership has launched a campaign to have the shirts removed from stores. CADCA encourages all coalitions to follow suit and write to Old Navy’s parent company, Gap, Inc, requesting that they remove the shirts from store shelves.

In a letter to Glenn Murphy, CEO of Gap, Inc, Old Navy’s parent company headquartered in San Francisco, Oregon Partnership said the sale of such items to a young customer base is repugnant and goes against the company’s pledge of social responsibility.

“Oregon Partnership and other anti-drug coalitions around the country will not let go of this,” said Pete Schulberg, Oregon Partnership’s Communications Director. “Other retail chains have stopped the sale of these t-shirts because they know that promoting binge drinking to young people is something they don’t want to be a part of.”

In a written reply to OP’s request Chris Wingenfield of Gap Customer Relations said “at Old Navy, we strive to offer merchandise that appeal to a wide range of interests….it is never our intention to offend our customers and we apologize for any concerns related to our product.”

But Oregon Partnership President/CEO Judy Cushing termed Gap’s response “wholly unsatisfying.”

“Oregon Partnership and other anti-drug coalitions are making inroads in informing parents, educators, and the business community about how alcohol use among adolescents is even more dangerous to their developing brains than previously believed,” said Cushing. “But for the culture to be changed, retailers such as Gap and Old Navy need to play their part.”

The price of the t-shirts was lowered to $5.00 on the weekend before the start of most public schools in the state. “It is obvious to us that Old Navy is marketing the shirts to the back-to-school crowd, which is irresponsible and hypocritical,” Schulberg said.

During last year’s holiday season, the store prominently displayed t-shirts with a Christmas tree and the words “Let’s Get Lit.” Another showed an elf drinking from a keg.

This is not the first time a popular chain has sold something that glamorizes alcohol or drug use. Other national chains have sold similar items in the past but have discontinued their sale after receiving complaints from coalitions throughout the country.

Oregon Partnership Among “Best Oregon Non-Profits”!

Oregon Partnership placed in the top 25 of the “100 Best Non-Profits in Oregon, sponsored by Oregon Business magazine.  OP board members and staff were on hand for the big awards ceremony this week at the Portland Art Museum. 

Click here for more…

New Drug Czar Speaks OP Language

Sounds as if the country’s new drug czar is in step with drug prevention efforts that Oregon Partnership advocates.  This, from Join Together newsletter:

Drug legalization “is not a part of the president’s vocabulary under any circumstances and it’s not a part of mine,” said Obama administration drug czar Gil Kerlikowske in a recent interview, Reuters reported June 5.

However, Kerlikowske said the federal government should spend less time and money pursuing nonviolent drug offenders (“We need to devote those finite resources toward those people who are the most dangerous to the community,” he said) and invest more in demand reduction, especially addiction treatment for prisoners.

“It’s clear that if they go to prison and they have a drug problem and you don’t treat it and they return … to the same neighborhood from whence they came that you are going to have the same problem,” Kerlikowske said in an interview with Reuters. “Quite frankly people in neighborhoods, police officers, et cetera, are tired of recycling the problem. Let’s try and fix it.”

Kerlikowske repeated his call for ending use of the term ‘war on drugs’ and said he will seek a more balanced approach to addressing the nation’s drug problem.

Oregon Partnership Annual Gala Huge Success

Friends of Oregon Partnership stepped up bigtime Saturday night at OP’s annual dinner and auction by generating more than $250,000 toward alcohol and drug prevention programs.

The Oregon Convention Center ballroom was packed with OP supporters who bid with abandon on silent and oral auction items, proceeding to put a stamp on the evening’s theme of “Over the Rainbow – Where Hope is Alive.”

The program included appeals from Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley at a time when the economic downturn is causing a dramatic increase in calls for help to OP’s crisis and suicide prevention lines.

“This is a time when more people than ever are counting on Oregon Partnership and the work they do,” said Wyden, who praised OP President/CEO Judy Cushing for her efforts to make the agency a vital force in Oregon and fueled the crowd to give her a standing ovation.

Merkley spoke of the need to help returning soldiers, some of whom have emotional challenges and encouraged those in attendance to support OP  outreach programs. 

Members of the Oregon National Guard and other military representatives were on hand as the state’s large deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan is about to take place.

Portland community activist Mike Roach received the Mary Obserst Award for the Prevention of Underage Drinking.

Oregon Partnership’s Dinner/Auction Top Portland Event

Get ready for a party with a purpose.  It’s one of Portland’s premier events, and you won’t be disappointed – especially if you grab one of the fantastic items up for bid at low prices!

All is set for the Oregon Partnership annual dinner and auction, Saturday, May 2 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.  The silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m…..followed by dinner and an oral auction with fantastic bargains and international travel items!

Make your reservations now, and take part in an evening of fun while supporting the drug prevention programs of Oregon Partnership.  You can help prevent alcohol-drug abuse and suicide.  OP does every day.

visit our website at www.orpartnership.org

OREGON PARTNERSHIP HONORS SUPER VOLUNTEER

 Oregon Partnership is honored to present the Mary Oberst Award for Leadership in Preventing Underage Drinking to Mike Roach, owner of Paloma Clothing, and parent advocate.

 This annual award is given to an individual who has devoted themselves to raising public awareness about the devastating impact of alcohol on young minds and bodies.

As a community activist and long-time volunteer in Portland Public Schools, Mike Roach founded the Parent Action Network at West Sylvan Middle School and is co-chairperson of the Health Action Network at Lincoln High School.

His tireless work has been instrumental in advocating safe choices and positive reinforcement for students and educating parents about substance abuse issues.

 Ever since his daughter Isabel entered Kindergarten, Mike has spent Mondays volunteering at her school, saying “I’ve never had a boring day.”

This year’s “Over the Rainbow… Where Hope is Alive” celebrates the work that Oregon Partnership is doing statewide to end the epidemic of drug & alcohol abuse and suicide in Oregon. We celebrate a healthy life and the hope that we can serve those in need.

Join us for an evening of celebration. Click here to purchase tickets. Special thanks to our sponsors: David and Susan Anderson Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon Taco Bell Walgreens Oregon Pacific Investment Development Corporation NW Natural The Standard

Want to Know About the Oregon Beer Tax?

What’s the issue?

House Bill 2461 would raise the Oregon beer tax from less than eight-tenths of a penny per glass to $0.15.

The tax is paid on beer that is sold for consumption in Oregon, either by the brewer or the distributor who imports it into the state.

It is projected that the tax increase would raise about $165 million per year or $330 million for the biennium.  The money would be dedicated to funding alcohol and drug treatment, prevention, and recovery services, with $50 million going to the general fund.
Why do we support it?

Oregonians paid an estimated $3.2 billion in 2006 for alcohol-related crime, violence, lost productivity and health costs. That’s eight times greater than the $395 million in tax revenues collected in 2006 from the sale of alcohol.

Every dollar spent on alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment save five dollars!

It is realistic and efficient to fund prevention and treatment services with revenues from the sale of the product that creates the problem.

These services have been cut in recent years, while the beer tax hasn’t been raised in 32 years.  The current tax doesn’t even begin to meet current needs to people who require and are asking for help.

Add drug abuse, and the cost to Oregonians reaches $5.93 billion. 

Do prevention and treatment work?

Yes, studies consistently show that crime goes down, employment goes up, and families are saved when prevention and treatment are made available.
Why hasn’t the Oregon beer tax been increased in 32 years? 

Because the beer industry – especially the beer distributors lobby – have had an effective hold on legislators, contributing millions of dollars in campaign contributions.  Legislators have had a long-standing, cozy relationship with industry lobbyists, and some, in fact, found themselves in trouble when they took some all-expenses-paid vacations courtesy of the industry lobby.

Efforts to raise the beer tax have been made in prior sessions of the Legislature with no success.  But with a Democratic majority in both houses, and an $885 million state budget deficit, its chances look better than they have in years.

Have other states raised their beer tax during the past 32 years?

Most have.  In fact, Oregon’s beer tax is effectively, the lowest in the nation. Two other states have lower beer taxes, but they also have a sales tax attached.  Of course, during this time, beer prices have increased, while the tax hasn’t.

The industry keeps arguing that the tax would amount to a 1,900 percent increase.  What about that?

Any increase looks big when multiplied against almost nothing

Oregon’s brewers say a tax increase would devastate them, causing job losses and financial ruin.  True?

Patently false. There is absolutely no evidence anywhere that a beer tax increase would mean fewer sales and lower profits for Oregon’s brewers.  Prior studies from other states say the only customers who may be drinking less because of higher taxes are problem drinkers and underage drinkers.

In Oregon, underage drinking is a bigger problem than most other states.  Alcohol use by Oregon 8th graders is almost double the national average.

What about the industry argument that Oregonians will see mammoth price increases – up to $2.00 per pint of beer?

Again, there is no evidence this will be the case.  The industry talks about a price markup by middlemen, distributors, and retailers based on a higher tax.  But a survey of convenience stores in eight other Western states – states with the beer tax up to 500 percent higher – found no relationship between the excise tax level and the price of beer.

Is there an example of this?

Yes, this month we went shopping. And we found that a six-pack of Widmer sold at a Portland Fred Meyer was more expensive than the same product at a Vancouver Fred Meyer, even though Washington’s beer tax is three times higher than Oregon’s and where the sales tax is 6.2 percent!

The six pack in Oregon cost $9.49, while the six pack in Washington cost $8.69.

The industry keeps talking about price per-barrel.  Why?

Because $49.61 per barrel sounds like a lot scarier than $0.15 per glass.

Why couldn’t the proposed legislation exempt Oregon brewers?

It could, and has.  In the last session of the Legislature, most local brewers were made exempt from a proposed tax increase (they still opposed it). This time around, sponsors of the bill decided to include them in the tax increase.

Why not tax hard liquor and wine instead?

Wine is already taxed at about $.04 per glass.  And customers of distilled spirits (hard liquor) pay some of the highest prices in the country – partly to support the OLCC’s warehousing, distribution and retail infrastructure and to generate the $135 million per year paid out to the state general fund and to local governments.

Where does the public stand?

Surveys have consistently shown that most Oregonians would support a beer tax increase to pay for needed prevention, recovery and addictions programs.

The latest survey conducted in February, 2009 found that 61 percent of Oregonians favor increasing the beer tax while 65 percent oppose making significant cuts to substance abuse and treatment programs, even in light of the state’s recent budget woes.  The survey was conducted by Moore Information, Inc, a local opinion research firm.

Let’s Be Real About the Beer Tax

Oregonians have been bombarded with false information and outrageous predictions about a proposed beer tax increase. It’s time to look at the reality.
  
• The Oregon beer tax has not been raised in 32 years.

• Oregon’s beer tax is less than a penny per 12-ounce container, effectively the nation’s lowest beer tax.  Those states with a slightly lower beer tax than Oregon have a sales tax that puts their total tax higher than ours. The industry has grabbed headlines with its cries of a 1,900 percent increase. The fact is, any increase looks large when multiplied against almost nothing. 

• There is no evidence a beer tax increase would cause job losses or financial ruin for our thriving Oregon brewers. And, in fact, the vast majority of the $320 million that would be raised would come from the major out-of-state beer companies.

• Beer producers say a considerable increase would translate to an additional $2 per pint. That’s demonstrably false. A week ago we purchased a six-pack of Widmer brew in Vancouver, Wash. – where the beer tax is three times that of Oregon’s and Washington’s sales tax is 6.2 percent. We discovered that a six-pack of Widmer was cheaper at $8.69 at a Vancouver Fred Meyer store compared with $9.49 at a Portland Fred Meyer. Who’s pocketing the change? The industry talks about a price markup by middlemen, distributors and retailers based on a higher tax. That shouldn’t happen and, based on the examples above, it doesn’t!  

As Rep. Ben Cannon noted in his testimony before the House Revenue Committee, a survey of convenience stores in eight other Western states – states with excise taxes up to 500 percent higher – found no relationship between the excise tax level and beer price.

• Oregonians love their Oregon-grown wine and craft brew industries.  Regardless of an increase in the beer tax, Oregonians will continue consuming their favorite suds. The industry’s argument that up to 3,000 jobs would be lost is preposterous!

• The cost of alcohol and drug addiction to Oregon is staggering. Prisons cost more than prevention. Oregonians paid an estimated $3.2 billion in 2006 for alcohol-related crime, violence, lost productivity and health costs. Those are costs all of us pay. Make no mistake: Alcohol treatment and prevention can and will save Oregonians money, and it saves lives.

It seems that in the Oregon Capitol changing the tax on beer is “off limits,” sacred ground and politically stupid. Could it be because of the long-standing, cozy relationship many legislators have with industry lobbyists? 

A beer tax increase may be hard for lawmakers to swallow, but something is terribly wrong when Oregon’s young people can’t get treatment and alcohol and drug prevention in schools is almost non-existent. 

The sober truth is that Oregon can’t afford to wait any longer!

By Judy Cushing

Judy Cushing is president/CEO of Oregon Partnership, a statewide nonprofit that exists to end alcohol and other drug abuse.

OREGON PARTNERSHIP WARNS OF MAJOR CONSEQUENCES IF BURGERVILLE ALLOWED TO SELL BEER AND WINE

 

 Oregon Partnership believes there are red flags all over the decision by a Burgerville restaurant in Clark County, Washington to apply for a state liquor license so it can begin serving beer and wine.

“As a non-profit involved in the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse, we hope this isn’t the start of a trend,” said Pete Schulberg, Oregon Partnership’s Communication Director. “Fast food restaurants are filled with young customers and young employees. That’s a mix you don’t want when you are considering the sale of alcohol.”

Oregon Partnership has expressed its concerns to Jeff Harvey, President and CEO of The Holland Inc, the Vancouver-based Burgerville’s parent company, and to the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

If the state liquor license application by Burgerville is approved, its new Salmon Creek restaurant could begin serving alcohol by next month. Harvey is reported as saying other restaurants in the 39-store chain could be applying for liquor licenses.

In Washington, 18-year olds can serve and take orders for alcohol.

“If this goes ahead, we’ll have teens serving beer and wine, which means more problems and potential dangers having to do with control, enforcement, and training issues,” added Schulberg.

Several local media polls have shown that respondents are overwhelmingly against Burgerville’s new menu items.

About Oregon Partnership:
Oregon Partnership is a statewide nonprofit that has worked to promote healthy kids and communities for well over a decade by raising awareness about drug and alcohol issues, providing prevention education in classrooms, and 24-hour crisis lines for people needing help. To learn more, visit www.orpartnership.org.

OREGON PARTNERSHIP SAYS CLAIRE’S RESPONSE TO FLASK FLAP COMES UP WOEFULLY SHORT

Responding to calls to stop selling alcohol flasks in its stores catering to teen customers, Icing by Claire’s says it will continue selling the flasks at its 3,000 stores.  But according to a company spokesman, the store will post signs at store counters supporting “responsible” alcohol consumption.

The multi-colored flasks with a myriad of designs are predominantly displayed at Icing by Claire’s stores, which according to the company website, focus on a customer base that includes teenage girls.

Earlier this month, Oregon Partnership, a non-profit group dedicated to  combating underage drinking and drug abuse, had written CEO Eugene S. Kahn of Claire’s Stores, Inc., to discontinue flask sales.

“Deciding to continue selling the flasks, complete with chains, charms, and colors, sends a bevy of  messages – none of them good or responsible – to teenage girls,” says Pete Schulberg, Communications Director of Oregon Partnership. “In Oregon and around the country, teen girls are drinking more and drinking younger.”

Icing by Claire’s is a costume jewelry and accessory store targeting young women.  It is a subsidiary of the tween accessory chain store Claire’s.

The flasks hold five ounces and cost $12.50.  Some of the designs include leopard skin, a peace symbol, and the Empire State Building.

“When it comes to preventing underage drinking, parents are the biggest influence on their kids,” says Schulberg. “But we don’t understand why a major retailer such as Claire’s would want to spread the perception among young girls that drinking is fun and cool.”

Last year, responding to Oregon Partnership’s request, Nordstrom agreed to stop the sale of flip-flops with built-in flasks.

After complaints by Oregon Partnership, Macy’s and Bloomingdales decided to take beer t-shirts off their shelves, which received substantial positive attention in the national media.  Other national chains have discontinued the sale of drinking games and other similar products.

Oregon Partnership and other anti-drug coalitions are making real inroads in informing parents, educators, and the business community about how alcohol use among adolescents is even more dangerous to their developing brains than previously believed.

About Oregon Partnership:
Oregon Partnership is a statewide nonprofit that has worked to promote healthy kids and communities for well over a decade by raising awareness about drug and alcohol issues, providing prevention education in classrooms, and 24-hour crisis lines for people needing help. To learn more, visit www.orpartnership.org.