The American Council for Drug Education is glad to share with youone young lady

Educate Your Community about "Zipper Shots"

Source:
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Action Alert
901 North Pitt Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 706-0560
www.CADCA.org

ZIPPER SHOTS - "Introducing ZIPPERS, the only brand 24-Proof prepackaged 'gelatin shot' on the market."

Background

Relatively new to the alcohol scene are "Zippers", gelatin shots that contain 12% alcohol, 24 proof and come in flavors such as Vodka Splash, Rum Rush, Whisky Drop and Tequila Tea. Besides being high in alcohol content, these Zippers may be dangerous because they come packaged in containers that look like any other snack pack or after-school snack a child may put in their lunch box. Zippers are owned and marketed on the Internet (www.zippershot.com) by BPNC, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio. These Zippers are currently sold in 20 states and maybe be sold in an additional 9 states soon (for a complete list of states, please see below). In addition, Zippers are being marketed in ways that appeal to an underage audience.

Facts

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse reports that alcohol is a factor in the four leading causes of death among persons ages 10 to 24: motor-vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide.
Once teenagers start drinking, they are more likely to experiment with other substances and engage in other risky behaviors. In 1999, Colombia's Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse discovered that teens under 15 who have ever consumed alcohol are twice as likely to engage in risky behaviors such as, have sex than those who have not.
75% of eighth graders and 89% of 10th graders believe that alcohol is readily available to them for consumption.
40% of 9th graders reported having consumed alcohol before they were age 13.
Of particular interest to underage drinkers are the new "alcopops." New to the alcohol scene, these drinks are appealing because of their taste, creative labeling, catchy names and their easy availability to teenagers. 90 percent of teens agreed that drinking "alcopops" made it more likely that teenagers would try other alcoholic beverages.
More than 40% of individuals who start drinking before the age of 13 will develop alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some point in their lives.
If the onset of drinking is delayed by 5 years, a child's risk of serious alcohol problems is decreased by 50%.
A MADD focus group reports that a deterrent to drinking for students age 9 -13 years old is the taste of alcohol. Those who have either sneaked sips, or who have been given sips by their parents, say that the taste is horrible.

What You Can Do

Besides being high in alcohol content, these Zippers may be dangerous because they come packaged in containers that look like any other snack pack or after-school snack a child may put in their lunch box. If Zippers are not properly coded as alcohol products in grocery stores, it is probable that underage youth may be able to buy them. Additionally, Zippers may be extremely enticing to young drinkers who do not like the taste of beer or hard liquor because they mask the taste of the alcohol with flavored jello. Some of the new flavors are Blue Hawaiian, Melon Head, Purple Hooter and Fuzzy Navel - many of which taste like Kool-Aid. It is very important that you are vigilant about this product and educate your local grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, schools and communities about this product.

States where Zippers are currently sold: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

New Potential States: Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Date of Release: April 22, 2002

If you would like to comment on this article you can do so via email at acde@phoenixhouse.org -or- join the ACDE discussion group and share your comments there.

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