An Actor’s Responsibility

Lou Cohan hit upon a very good idea (“Actors Need to Carry Social Responsibility to the Screen,” March 18). He may be interested to know that someone has already thought of it. What’s more, the idea came from an organization created by the entertainment industry and it is widely used.

“Spotlight on Depiction of Health and Social Issues,” intended by its publisher, the Entertainment Industries Council Inc., to provide clear-cut, accurate information to creators of TV and film productions when they deal with certain health or social issues, has been distributed to more than 2,500 members of the Hollywood community.

Notebook depictions include such issues as AIDS, alcohol, children of alcoholics, tobacco in the media, women and addiction, mental illness, hearing impairment, alcohol-impaired driving and safety-belt awareness.

There are many examples of TV shows and movies that have been affected by EIC’s efforts, including smoking in “Hearts Afire,” drunken driving in “Growing Pains,” alcoholism and recovery in “Cagney & Lacey,” HIV-positive children in “The Equalizer” and “Life Goes On,” among others.

A copy of the notebook is available to writers, directors and producers of TV programs and movies. Call EIC at (800) 783-3421.

BRIAN DYAK, President

Entertainment Industries Council

Burbank