PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Lori Sitler 
Phone: (302) 577-8314 
Pager: (302) 247-1132 

Date: May 1, 2002 

A.G. TEAMS WITH CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS GROUP FOR "ALCOPOPS" AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

(Wilmington, DE): With warmer weather approaching and prom season around the corner, the Office of the Attorney General and the Delaware Association for Children of Alcoholics (DACOA) announce the release of a new brochure to alert parents and teens to the hard facts about hard lemonades and other "alcopops". The brochure, entitled, "It's Not Your Grandma's Lemonade" informs parents and teens alike to be wary of the fruity, bottled drinks which, at first glance, could easily be mistaken for non-alcoholic citrus beverages. 

Hard lemonades and other sweet "alcopops" as they are called, are relatively new to the market but are increasingly popular with young drinkers. Barbara Ridge, Executive Director of the DACOA stated, "Parents and children may not be aware that these drinks are considered 'training wheels' for regular drinking habits in later years." In addition to offering tips for parents, the brochure reminds teens of the laws and penalties in Delaware for underage drinking. Attorney General Brady notes, "Teens need to realize that hard lemonades are alcoholic beverages. These drinks contain as much alcohol as beer. Teens can be fined and/or have their driving privileges revoked if they are found in possession of or drinking these 'alcopops'." 

For more information about the alcopops campaign, contact DACOA at 656-5554 in New Castle County; 736-6619 in Kent County or 856-6477 in Sussex County.