Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Continuing Education
Free online courses for addiction counselors LEARN ONLINE
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 
Ore. Authorities Want Alcohol Out of Boating
August 2, 2005

Share Share Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Law enforcement and alcohol awareness leaders in Oregon are emphasizing that alcohol has no place in boating activity, adding that Anheuser-Busch's recent advertising changes in the wake of a fatality on the Columbia River still fall short.

At a joint news briefing on July 29, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Oregon Partnership, a nonprofit drug and alcohol awareness organization, urged responsibility among both recreational boaters and the alcohol companies whose advertising often links boating and drinking.

"Each year there are needless deaths, accidents and injuries related to drinking and boating," said Lt. Monte Reiser of the Sheriff's River Patrol Office. "As we enter the peak boating season on the Columbia and the Willamette, we want to remind boaters to be responsible where alcohol is concerned."

Anheuser-Busch last month removed billboard advertising featuring a model on a personal watercraft after an alcohol-related boat accident that killed a 24-year-old man in Oregon. While the Oregon officials were pleased with the beer company's decision, they criticized the message of a replacement billboard promoting water safety.

Oregon Partnership CEO Judy Cushing said the replacement ad "implies that having a designated driver makes alcohol safe on the water. In fact, the opposite is true: according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, a drunken passenger is just as likely to die in a boating mishap as an intoxicated operator."

Cushing suggested that Anheuser-Busch should instead promote a billboard developed by the Oregon Marine Board with the no-use theme "Sober Boaters Know How to Live."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)
Enter this word
(help):		 Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.

  2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.