Bowing to a grassroots advocacy campaign, retailer Target has joined Kohl's in halting sales of controversial drinking games that critics say promote binge drinking, USA Today reported Jan. 10.

A letter-writing campaign by drug-prevention advocates resulted in Target announcing this week that it is no longer selling games like Drinko in its stores or on its website. Kohls made a similar decision prior to Christmas.

The advocacy campaign was coordinated by Join Together, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. Target received more than 2,000 protest letters from advocates, while Kohls received more than 2,800.

The campaign continues against retailer Linens 'n Things, which still sells games like "Shots and Ladders" and "Keg Pong." Company officials did not return calls from USA Today reporters looking for comments this week.

"Teen drinking is a huge problem in our country today," said Judy Mezey of Student Assistance Services, a Tarrytown, N.Y., group that participated in the letter-writing campaigns. "Here we are trying to create an environment that supports young people and helps them make the right decisions. Products like these undermine the efforts of parents and communities."

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE
Join Together has learned that Linens 'n Things has just removed drinking games from its stores nationwide and its website, in response to the letter-writing campaign organized by Join Together, CADCA and CSPI.

In an email to Join Together staff Friday morning, Linens 'n Things spokesperson Toni Vardiman wrote "As of this morning, all stores have complied and the product is no longer available on the website.  As the organizer of the campaign, thank you especially for creating such awareness and bringing this matter to our attention."