ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) applauds National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins’ recent announcement that the NIH will “pursue functional integration, rather than major structural reorganization, to advance substance use, abuse, and addiction-related research.”

“NBWA is pleased to hear that the NIH is abandoning plans to merge illegal drugs with alcohol research,” said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser.  “NIAAA plays an important federal role in highlighting that alcohol is indeed a different product, and it must continue to be regulated and researched differently.  NBWA looks forward to working with fellow members of the alcohol industry and the public health community to help ensure NIAA’s important work is strengthened, not weakened.”

About NBWA:

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.comFor additional updates from NBWA, follow @MrBeerGuy on Twitter and visit www.facebook.com/Mr.BeerGuy