Christian Action League
RALEIGH — New strategies and tactics for tackling alcohol use and abuse issues will be the topic Sept. 20 and 21 when the national organization, the American Council on Alcohol Problems, holds its annual meeting at the Cardinal Club in downtown Raleigh, hosted by the Christian Action League of North Carolina.
Dillon Mulrooney-Jones, Policy Committee Chair of the N.C. Substance Abuse Prevention Providers Association, will address the importance of properly classifying “alcopops” — sugary sweet alcoholic drinks sold as malt beverages and popular among underage drinkers. Other speakers include Duke University professor Dr. Phillip J. Cook, author of “Paying the Tab: The Costs and Benefits of Alcohol Control”, and Jonathon Williams, chairman of the N.C. ABC Commission. Retired Superior Court Judge Ron Bogle will address the role of law enforcement in alcohol control, and Mary Claire O’Brien, professor of Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest University, will discuss the consequences of mixing alcohol with energy drinks.
The Rev. Mark Creech, president-elect for ACAP and director of the Christian Action League, will speak on the privatization of liquor sales versus North Carolina’s current control system. “Last legislative session, advocates across North Carolina fought successfully to retain state control of the sale of liquor,” said Mulrooney-Jones. “It is imperative that we keep up that fight.”
“ACAP has been gracious enough to extend invitations to local grassroots activists from across North Carolina,” said Mulrooney-Jones. “It should be a great opportunity to extend the network of groups that work on alcohol policy issues at both a local and national level.”
The ACAP event is expected to draw members from 20 or more of its 37 affiliates from across the country. Tuesday’s session will kick off at 9 a.m. with a welcome from N.C. House Majority Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake). A press conference will be held at 1:00 pm at the Cardinal Club.
For more information and the conference schedule, log onto www.sapacap.com, or contact the Rev. Mark Creech at the Christian Action League of North Carolina, (919) 787-0606.
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PRESS ADVISORY
Members of the press are invited to attend the American Council on Alcohol Problems conference sessions, all which will be held at the Cardinal Club. There will be a press conference and time for media questions at 1:00 pm, Tuesday afternoon at the Cardinal Club.
