Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. and the National Center for DWI Courts Support Michigan DWI Courts

2008-08-14 20:55:07 -

- Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. Matt Stanton, 202-549-0290 matt.stanton@beamglobal.com or Qorvis Communications Nicole Chardavoyne, 202-306-7139 nchardavoyne@qorvis.com Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. (Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)), a global leader in premium spirits and wine, and the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) joined forces today to raise awareness about the effectiveness of DWI Courts in Michigan. With more than 17,000 people killed by drunk drivers in the United States every year, Beam Global and NCDC have partnered together since 2007 to bring national attention to the effectiveness of DWI Courts in reducing the recidivism rate of offenders. DWI Courts deal with hard core and repeat drunk driving offenders by providing long-term, ongoing accountability and rehabilitation, in addition to conviction.

DWI Court judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials assembled to highlight the success of DWI Courts and their valuable contribution to the state of Michigan. NASCAR(R) driver and team owner Robby Gordon joined Beam Global in thanking Michigan judges, law enforcement and legislators for their support and to acknowledge the life-saving efforts of DWI Courts.

"Beam Global Spirits & Wine is committed to eliminating drunk driving," said Matt Stanton, vice president of corporate affairs, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "We support programs that reduce drunk driving and are committed to working with any state willing to help save lives by establishing DWI Courts. Research shows that those who go through DWI Courts are 19 times less likely to be re-arrested for a drunk driving charge. This is a powerful statistic and we encourage all states to join Michigan in the fight to eliminate hardcore drunk driving."

"We are pleased that research from Michigan illustrates the great success DWI Courts have had in punishing and treating hardcore drunk drivers," stated David Wallace, director of the National Center for DWI Courts. "Michigan DWI Courts have proven that blending long-term treatment with the accountability, immediacy and certainty of court response is more effective than punishment alone. We hope to build on that success by raising awareness for DWI Courts in Michigan and throughout the country."

"DWI Courts are saving lives," stated Judge Brian MacKenzie, presiding judge 1st Division, 52nd District Court, and president, Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals. "These courts change the mindset of criminal justice professionals and truly promise better long-term outcomes. Michigan is a powerful example of how successful these courts can be."

"We need to do all we can to keep our roads safe," commented Judge Michael J. Haley, 86th District Court. "Hardcore drunk drivers are causing the vast majority of alcohol related traffic fatalities and this issue needs to be addressed head on. DWI Courts like ours make our communities safer by reducing the incidence of drunk driving. They work because we address the problem at its roots by requiring treatment and accountability in an intensive, long-term program."

"I am truly impressed with how effective DWI Courts have been in reducing drunk driving," commented Robby Gordon. "I would like to offer my appreciation to Beam Global for supporting the National Center for DWI Courts and for including me in their efforts to help raise awareness for this life-saving program. I congratulate Michigan judges, law enforcement and legislators for their efforts throughout the state and encourage other states to follow Michigan's lead."

Beam Global and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) partnered in May 2007 to launch the National Center for DWI Courts, which focuses solely on hardcore and repeat drunk driving offenders. Beam Global is in its second year working with NCDC to help raise awareness about the effectiveness of DWI Courts. In 2007, 25 states established 29 DWI Courts to address hardcore drunk driving.

Beam Global is also a primary contributor to The Century Council, a not-for-profit organization that is funded by leading distillers and dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. The Century Council promotes responsible decision making regarding alcohol and discourages all forms of irresponsible consumption through education, communication, research, law enforcement and other programs. More information about The Century Council can be found at www.centurycouncil.org.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam(R) Bourbon, Sauza(R) Tequila, Canadian Club(R) Whisky, Courvoisier(R) Cognac, Maker's Mark(R) Bourbon, Laphroaig(R) Scotch Whisky, Larios(R) Gin, Whisky DYC(R), Teacher's(R) Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper(R) Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob Creek(R) Bourbon and Starbucks(TM) Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $8 billion. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About The National Association for Drug Professionals:

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1994 by a group of visionaries to reduce the negative social impact of substance abuse, crime, and recidivism by:

-- promoting and advocating for the establishment and funding of drug courts, DWI courts and other problem-solving courts;

-- providing for the collection and dissemination of information;

-- providing training, technical assistance and mutual support to courts nationwide

Within its short 13-year history, NADCP has become the premier national training and advocacy organization for over 1,900 drug and DWI courts nationally by:

-- serving as the only national organization representing over 19,000 multi-disciplinary drug court professionals before federal and state lawmakers;

-- annually hosting approximately 130 court training and technical assistance events that have benefited thousands of court practitioners;

-- writing, publishing, and disseminating scholastic and practical publications that are critical to the ongoing growth and fidelity of the drug court model; and

-- creating a vision of a reformed criminal justice system by impacting policy and legislation.

(C) 2008 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL.

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Research of Michigan Courts Illustrates Success of DWI Courts in
the Battle Against Drunk Driving