108th Congress

Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act

H.R. 4888/S. 2718

Background

A report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services entitled “Healthy People 2010” observed that “the perception that alcohol use is socially acceptable correlates with the fact that more than 80 percent of American youth consume alcohol before their 21st birthday, whereas the lack of social acceptance of other drugs correlates with comparatively low rates of use. Similarly, widespread societal expectations that young persons will engage in binge drinking may encourage this highly dangerous form of alcohol consumption.”

On September 9, 2003, the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report entitled “Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility.” One of IOM’s six recommendations for Federal and State governments was the creation of a Federal interagency coordinating committee; this recommendation was incorporated in these two bills.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

Title II, Section 201 of H.R. 4888 and S. 2718 would have amended the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with several Federal agencies including the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, to establish an interagency coordinating committee focusing on underage drinking. The Secretary would have served as chair of the committee, which would have guided policy and program development across the Federal Government with respect to underage drinking. The Secretary would have also been required to submit an annual progress report to Congress addressing programs and activities to prevent underage drinking.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 4888 was introduced by Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) on July 21, 2004, and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 108th Congress.

S. 2718 was introduced by Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) on July 22, 2004, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 108th Congress.