Here is a list of what appear to be grassroots groups against underage drinking. In fact, all of these groups were formed and supported by the temperance-oriented Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. They’re part of its nation-wide program to influence alcohol policy. And to do it at both the state and federal levels.

• • Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking.
  • Texans Standing Tall – A Statewide Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.
  • Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking.
  • Oregon Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.
  • Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance Against Underage Drinking.
  • National Capital Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking.
  • Minnesota Join Together Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.
  • Georgia Alcohol Policy Partnership.
  • Puerto Rico Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.
  • Indiana Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.
  • Partners to Reduce Underage Drinking in North Carolina.
  • Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

To achieve its goal, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has devoted years to developing and funding a large network. It consists of anti-drinking groups, institutes, centers, and individuals. In one period of about four years, the Foundation invested over one-quarter billion dollars in this project. That’s about $265,000,000.

These state groups are useful in opposing alcohol at the state and local level. (Many would call them “front groups.”)

An example is the Georgia Alcohol Policy Partnership. As soon as Six Flags Over Georgia sought permission for restricted beer sales, it acted. The sales would only would be at certain times in its theatre. Sales would be nowhere else within the entire park. The proposal resulted from consumer demand and was an attempt to stay competitive. Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, and Universal Studies all served beer for years throughout their parks without problems

In spite of this, the Georgia Alcohol Policy Partnership opposed even such limited alcohol sales. It claimed that it would lead to underage drinking. It was successful in its prohibition effort. This position appears to be motivated by a temperance agenda.

Organizations Against Underage Drinking

The Foundation has a network of temperance-oriented groups it supports with money. It include these.

• • Alcohol Justice (formerly the Marin Institute)
  • Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth.
  • Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free.
  • Center for Science in the Public Interest
  • Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.
  • ImpacTeen.
  • A Matter of Degree.
  • Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention.
  • Center on Addiction

These are some of the major organizations against underage drinking. They focus on drinking itself rather than on the abuse of alcohol.