CSPI: NASCAR, anti-drug PSAs don't mix
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/7/2002 8:59:00 AM
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has sent a letter to the head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, with copies to CSPI's friends in Congress, complaining that NASCAR and anti-drug public service announcements don't mix.
CSPI singled out the use of driver Jimmy Spencer in PSA's, since he is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. But it also referred to NASCAR's "nonstop" reminders of drinking: "Beer brand logos are omnipresent on NASCAR's drivers' uniforms, cars, infield equipment and kid-friendly promotional items," CSPI's Alcohol Policies Project Director George Hacker wrote.
Calling beer the "major drug problem" for young people, CSIP asked ONDCP Director John Walters to reevaluate the NASCAR partnership and to include anti-alcohol messages among those supported by the Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. That campaign buys PSA's on major media with the stipulation that those media match that time with their own anti-drug messages.
Among the representatives receiving the letter were Virginia Republican Frank Wolf and California Democrat Lucille Roybal-Allard, who, along with CSPI and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, are trying to drum up support for a hearing in Energy & Commerce on alcohol marketing to young people.
ONDCP spokesman Tom Riley responds that 'if you want to reach young people effectively, NASCAR is a good medium.' The administration thinking, says one source, is that NASCAR is essentially an advertising vehicle (literally and figuratively) and that not to use it because it also advertises beer would be like not putting PSA's in NFL games because they are also a major vehicle for beer ads.
Riley also says ONDCP's anti-drug media campaign does include "millions of dollars" worth of PSA's decrying underage drinking, and that it is an issue that Drug Czar John Walters is concerned about and plans to address more specifically. How much money he will have to do so remains to be seen. ONDCP's funding has yet to be set for 2003. Currently the House markup has a figure of $170 million, down $10 million. The Senate version would cut funding almost in half -- to $100 million -- while the administration is still pushing for full funding at $180 million.
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