February 3, 2003 -- Thanks to BEERWeek (www.beerweek.com) and the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard for word of the latest idiotic attempt to counter alcohol abuse in the United States. Something called the Lane County Prevention Coalition in Lane County, Oregon, has taken out ads on five district public buses which make the ludicrous connection between beer and 'needle drugs' like heroin and speed.

The ads, as described in a Register-Guard story, show a beer bottle inside a syringe with the accompanying text: "Beer contains alcohol. Alcohol is a drug. Alcohol is the number one drug problem in Lane County. Get the point?"

This myopic view of beer and other alcoholic beverages only contributes to the misunderstanding and, perhaps, eventual abuse of what is after all a food, not a drug. (Beer is called 'liquid bread' for good reason.)

My message to the Lane County Prevention Coalition: If you are concerned about your children abusing beer and other alcoholic beverages, then talk to them about it and explain the adult pleasures of a glass of beer, wine or spirits enjoyed with friends, either in a social setting or over a meal. Scare tactics simply won't work.

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