Interactive Dialogue on Alcohol and COVID-19: A Dangerous Mix

What are Interactive Dialogues?

Interactive Dialogues are a series of virtual meetings hosted by USAPA in order to foster the spread of ideas and greater connection among those working in the field of alcohol policy. The Interactive Dialogues are intended to create a space where members of community alcohol and other drug coalitions, local and state public health departments, and other ATOD prevention and public health practitioners can gather and discuss timely alcohol policy issues. Sessions will include a panel of 2-3 people with expertise on the given topic. Panelists will provide short introductory comments followed by facilitation and moderation of questions and discussion by members of USAPA. There will be significant opportunity to discuss live and pre-assembled questions from the audience with the goal of taking action on these issues. 

This first Interactive Dialogue offers an opportunity for prevention practitioners to:

• Learn about and better understand the harms associated with changes in alcohol availability as a result of an unexpected pandemic, including the increasingly blurred line between on and off premises sales;
• Share emerging changes to alcohol sales that will not only impact alcohol-related harms in the short-term, but have the potential to set dangerous precedents that will damage the three tier system long-term; and
• Discuss ways communities can take action to prevent the harms associated with increased access to alcohol.
• Discuss ways to ensure that temporary policies do not become permanent.
• Consider possible data collection to make the case about alcohol related harms.
• Application of Research Findings to Action

Presenters

David Jernigan, Ph.D., Professor – Boston University School of Public Health
Cassandra Greisen, Director of Public Policy - National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
Steven Schmidt, Sr. VP of Public Policy and Communications – National Alcohol Beverage Control Association

Moderators

Traci Toomey, Ph.D, University of Minnesota; Co-chair USAPA Advisory Board
Michael Sparks, MA, SparksInitiatives; Co-chair USAPA Advisory Board
For More Information and to Register, click here.

Or visit the USAPA Website at https://www.alcoholpolicy.org/events-1