Explanations for Problem Drinking and What We Can Do About It

Interesting article in The Blue Review suggests that drug and alcohol abuse may not stem simply from chemical imbalances in the brain, but from social stress and, in particular, from childhood abuse.

The article goes on to suggest that incarceration of low-level offenders without treatment dealing with the stress and abuse will probably make things worse, while treatment during incarceration will result in “better substance use outcomes for offenders and ultimately in a healthier and safer Idaho.”  You can read the entire article here.

COMMENT:  This sounds like research the industry should be behind, perhaps lobbying for a legislative requirement that CDC’s alcohol program should be focused on this area rather than simply trying to blame alcohol advertising for problem drinking.

Why A-B’s New Climate Initiative Is a Big Deal

Sierra Magazine, published by the environmental lobbying outfit, The Sierra Club, has an interesting article lauding Anheuser-Busch’s new climate initiative as a big deal.

That’s a fair characterization:  A-B announced last month that the 400 million of electricity it purchases next year would be 100% renewable by 2025.  It also announced other environmental goals – and that it will relabel Budweiser as climate friendly.  Read more here.

An Interview with Mark Riley of Edrington-Beam Suntory UK
            Maxxium UK has been known as Edrington-Beam UK Distribution since the start of April.  It’s the third largest spirits business in the UK, and its Scots boss, Mark Riley, intends to grab more share.   One way he intends to do that is by “spending much more time and effort focusing on eight or nine key cities,” he says.  “You are not trying to win everywhere – you are just winning with the winners.”  Read more here, from The Scotsman.