BACKGROUND The International Institute of Alcohol Awareness The mission of IIAA is to promote policies, practices, and public messaging that reduce heavy consumption of alcohol by all groups in all circumstances; discourage any alcohol consumption in high-risk situations; and promote outcome-based strategies that reduce the availability of alcohol to youth and other high risk populations. The IIAA is a project of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), one of the nation1s preeminent, independent non-profit organizations. Read full background >> (.pdf format) MEDIA STORIES (.pdf format) The Drinking Age Buzz September 6, 2005 Response to Teen Drinking September 6, 2005 Full Court Press on Teenage Drinking September 6, 2005 Nation Buzzing On Underage Drinking September 6, 2005 Police Plan Underage Drinking Forum September 6, 2005 Underage Drinkers Ruling Highlights Weakness of Laws September 5, 2005 IUP: Underage Drinking, Dangerous Drinking Not Tolerated September 5, 2005 BIOGRAPHY Biography of James E. Copple James E. Copple, Co-Director of the International Institute for Alcohol Awareness, is responsible for developing international strategies and initiatives to address the primary issues of problem drinking and underage alcohol consumption. Mr. Copple is an experienced T.V. commentator with appearances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Bill O'Reilly and Primetime and has been quoted extensively in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and other national and regional media outlets. Read full biography >> (.pdf format) STATISTICS Get current statistics and facts related to this article. (.pdf format) LINKS Link to www.beawarenow.org for more information on the national effects of underage drinking including states profiles and case studies, as well as activities and developments of the International Institute for Alcohol Awareness (IIAA). Get more information regarding research and practices of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE). Visit the Alcohol Policy Information System, an electronic resource that provides authoritative, detailed, and comparable information on alcohol related policies in the United States, at both State and Federal levels. ABOUT POD Pundit on Demand™ is an exclusive service of Policy Impact Communications, Inc., providing electronic and print media immediate access to leading authorities on newsworthy issues and current affairs. Pundit on Demand offers a wide range of national and international experts in the areas of business, healthcare, politics, defense, legal reform, transportation, telecommunications, national security, litigation, trade, technology, finance, and criminal justice. Policy Impact Communications, Inc. is a full service government affairs and public relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. Please visit www.policyimpact.com or contact pod@policyimpact.com for more information.