Driving Home Points of Parish Pledge

I am writing in reference to the article about the Century Council’s Parish Pledge program (Sept. 11). I appreciate the praise for the council’s joining anti-drunken driving effort with the Division for Hispanic Affairs of the California Catholic Conference. But there were a few unintentional inaccuracies.

First, the headline--”Anti-Alcohol Pact Promoted by Parishes.” This program is not anti-alcohol, it is anti-alcohol abuse .

Second, the article does not mention that the Century Council is entirely funded by some, but not all, members of the licensed beverage industry. Those companies that fund the Council believe that good citizenship is good business. They deserve recognition for their serious commitment to combatting the abuse of their products.

Finally, you refer to the parish pledge as a promise to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Actually, it provides adults who choose to drink with responsible alternatives to drinking and driving. Through family commitments to serve as designated drivers and to encourage others to do the same, lives can be saved.

JOHN GAVIN

Chairman, the Century Council

Los Angeles

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