On December 20, the President signed into law Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard's national legislation to curb underage drinking, "The STOP (Sober Truth on Preventing) Underage Drinking Act" (HR 864).

"This historic signing into law of our nation's first comprehensive legislation on underage drinking is a significant step toward bringing this national public health crisis out of the shadows," said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, the measure's author.  "Prior to being elected to public office, I worked for a nonprofit agency which focused on alcohol abuse. I witnessed firsthand the many devastating consequences of irresponsible drinking. That experience made me realize that, as a nation, we must no longer be complacent about underage drinking and its alarming consequences."

The STOP Act makes permanent an Ad Council national media campaign directed at parents that started last year, coordinates all federal programs and research initiatives on underage drinking, and provides grants to institutions of higher education, states and non-profit organizations to combat underage drinking in communities.  The STOP Act also supports crucial research on the health effects of underage drinking and requires the federal government to produce an annual status report on underage drinking in our country.

"I thank the President and all of my colleagues in Congress whose support of "The STOP (Sober Truth on Preventing) Underage Drinking Act" made its final passage into law a reality," Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) said.  "The STOP Act is the result of an enormous commitment to the future well-being of our children by a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and Republicans from both chambers in Congress who successfully worked in partnership with our public health advocacy groups and the alcohol beverage industry to win passage of this landmark legislation."

"I also thank my Senate colleagues, Chris Dodd and Mike DeWine, for their sponsorship of the Senate companion bill, and my House colleagues, Frank Wolf, Tom Osborne, Zach Wamp, and Rosa DeLauro, for their original co-sponsorship. They are all truly to be commended for their dedication and commitment to addressing the public health crisis of underage drinking in our country," Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said. 

The STOP Act is based on a 2003 study by the National Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science.  The study found for example, that in the United States during any given month, nearly 11 million of our youth between the ages of 12 and 20 drink alcohol.  That means that by the end of today, more than five thousand of our nation's youth under the age of 16, will have taken their first drink.  Furthermore, a 2000 scientific study found that youth who drink alcohol could forget as much as 10 percent of what they learn as compared to those who do not drink. 

"When you consider the full extent of the dangers associated with drinking before the age of 21 such as car accidents, violent crime and risky sexual activity, the massive extent of this public health crisis and its tragic consequences become clear," Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said.  "Despite these startling facts, studies have found that most parents are unaware of the prevalence of underage drinking or the risk it poses to their children.  Through the STOP Act's hard-hitting public service ads, parents will get a strong and effective message about the dangers of underage drinking."

The measure is endorsed by many public health and alcohol beverage industry groups, including: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA); the American Medical Association; the Center for Science in the Public Interest; the American Public Health Association; the National Beer Wholesalers Association; the Beer Institute; the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America; the Wine Institute; the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States; the Century Council; and the Brewers Association. 

For her efforts to combat underage drinking, the congresswoman received the following honors: MADD's 2004 Congressional Excellence Award; Students Against Destructive Decisions' (SADD) 2005 National Outstanding Contribution Award; and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's 2005 Congressional Leadership Award.

The bipartisan STOP Act initially passed the U.S. House of Representatives on November 14 by a vote of 373 to 23.  The U.S. Senate passed the STOP Act on December 6 by unanimous consent.  The slightly amended measure was finalized in the House on December 7 by unanimous voice vote.  The President signed the measure into law on December 20, 2006.
 

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