NEWS ARCHIVE 2004
Rite Aid Agrees to Curb Tobacco Sales to Minors
Sept. 16, 2004 as reprinted from www.jointogether.orgRite Aid, the third-largest drug store chain in the country, has reached an agreement with state attorneys general to adopter stricter policies to prevent tobacco sales to minors, the Eugene Register-Guard reported Sept. 9.
Rite Aid has come under fire for violating tobacco-sales laws in 20 states. Under the agreement, the company will enforce tougher policies in its 3,400 U.S. stores.
Under the agreement, Rite Aid will train employees on state and local laws and company policies pertaining to tobacco sales to minors, including explaining health-related reasons for laws that restrict youth access to tobacco; check the ID of anyone trying to buy tobacco who appears to be younger than age 27; accept only valid government-issued photo identification as proof of age; and use cash registers programmed to prompt ID checks on all tobacco sales.
Also, the chain will hire an independent entity to conduct random compliance checks in more than 10 percent of its stores; prohibit self-service displays and vending machines of cigarettes, chewing tobacco and snuff; and prohibit the sale of smoking paraphernalia to minors.
Similar agreements have already been made with Walgreens, Walmart, and all gas stations operated under the Exxon, Mobil, ARCO, BP, and Amoco brands.
News from SAMHSA
Reprinted from Substance Abuse Funding Week: Aug. 5, 2004Access to Recovery is a three year grant program to fund a wide range of community-based drug and alcohol services to abusers seeking treatment, says SMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. Connecticut is among 15 awardees nationwide. Connecticut will receive $7.6 million per year for three years totaling $22.8 million to target at-risk, nondependent adult populations ages 18 and older who are at increased risk of continued substance use or abuse, as well as adults with substance abuse disorders. The program will emphasize populations documented to have significant barriers to access to care, service use and successful treatment outcomes, such as criminal justice, adults involved in the child welfare system and racially or culturally diverse populations. The state will offer a choice through a provider network that includes a variety of traditional and non-traditional providers, including those who are faith and peer-based.