WASHINGTON, DC — George Mason University and The
Century Council today announced the launch of a multi-year research
effort, “Understanding Teen Drinking Cultures in America,” designed to
provide a foundation for future efforts to fight underage drinking.
Based at Mason and funded by The Century Council, the goal of the
initiative is to better understand the psychological and sociological
factors that affect youths as they make decisions regarding whether to
engage in alcohol-related behaviors.

“College and university administrators deal with issues of underage
drinking on their campuses often," said Mason President Alan Merten.
“This research will help ‘educate the educators’ as to why young people
drink and how we can most effectively communicate the risks of this
behavior.”

The project will research several components of teen drinking
cultures, including: the context of youths’ early experiences regarding
alcohol; patterns of youth alcohol consumption; and the nature of
acceptance or non-acceptance by peers, parents, community leaders, and
other groups.

“Understanding Teen Drinking Cultures in America” will be
co-directed by Mason researchers David Anderson, professor of Education
and Human Development and director of the Center for the Advancement of
Public Health and Hugh Gusterson, professor of Anthropology and
Sociology. Dr. Anderson and Dr. Gusterson will also be guided by a
national board of advisors.

Hon. Susan Molinari, Chairman of The Century Council said, “The
Century Council believes the blend of cultural anthropology and public
health perspectives may shed new light on the problem of underage
drinking and pave the way toward identifying new and more effective
solutions to this persistent problem. Our goal is to provide a
research-based foundation for The Century Council’s efforts that will
make an impact years into the future.”

This latest project represents the second time The Century Council
has supported independent research at George Mason University focused
on the fight against underage drinking. George Mason’s nationally
acclaimed “Promising Practices: Campus Alcohol Strategies” initiative
was also supported by a multi-year grant from The Century Council.

About George Mason University
George Mason
University, located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s technology
corridor near Washington, D.C., is an innovative, entrepreneurial
institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields.
With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering,
information technology, biotechnology and health care, Mason prepares
its students to succeed in the work force and meet the needs of the
region and the world. Mason professors conduct groundbreaking research
in areas such as cancer, climate change, information technology and the
biosciences, and Mason’s Center for the Arts brings world-renowned
artists, musicians and actors to its stage. Its School of Law is
recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 35 law
schools in the United States.

About The Century Council
The Century Council
is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting drunk driving
and underage drinking. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. and chaired by
Susan Molinari, The Council develops and implements innovative programs
and public awareness campaigns and promotes action through strategic
partnerships. Funded by distillers, The Century Council promotes
responsible decision-making regarding drinking or non-drinking of
beverage alcohol and discourages all forms of irresponsible consumption
through education, communications, research, law enforcement, and other
programs. Established in 1991, The Century Council’s many projects and
activities are highlighted on its website at www.centurycouncil.org [2].