Call to the States: Establish 365 New DWI Courts in Five Years to Battle Hardcore Drunk Drivers

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company and industry leader in the battle against hardcore drunk driving, and the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC) today encouraged states to establish 365 new DWI Courts in five years. To commemorate Alcohol Awareness Month, Beam Global and NCDC have renewed their partnership in 2009 for the third year in a row to bring national attention to the effectiveness of DWI Courts in addressing hardcore drunk driving.

Hardcore drunk drivers are drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 and above and/or are repeat offenders. These drunk drivers are responsible for 57 percent of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and are 20 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Since Beam Global began partnering with NCDC, more than 130 new DWI Courts have been established in the United States. Currently, there are 526 DWI Courts across the country. The innovative DWI Court system goes beyond traditional discipline and deals with hardcore drunk driving offenders by providing long-term, ongoing accountability and rehabilitation, in addition to a conviction. These courts have become the model for getting the most dangerous drunk drivers off the roads. As DWI Courts are launched throughout the country, NCDC provides training and research to the personnel needed to operate them.

"Beam Global and NCDC have issued this goal for the establishment of 365 new DWI Courts because we have seen the success these courts have had in getting the most dangerous drivers off the roads and in treatment,” Bill Newlands, president of Beam Global's U.S. business. "As the initial sponsor of NCDC, Beam Global is committed to eliminating drunk driving, and we are honored to work with NCDC in 2009 to educate the public about these life-saving courts. Hardcore drunk drivers are responsible for the majority of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Jail alone is not the answer for these offenders. DWI Courts understand that it takes ongoing treatment coupled with a conviction to rehabilitate these hardcore offenders.”

"We are pleased to renew our partnership with Beam Global and look forward to working together to combat hardcore drunk driving,” stated David Wallace, director of the National Center for DWI Courts. "DWI Courts work. They save lives by getting the hardcore drunk driver off the streets. This is why we want to see the number of DWI Courts increase and encourage more states to adopt these life-saving courts.”

"DWI Court graduates are three times less likely to be rearrested for any criminal offense, and 19 times less likely for impaired driving,” continued Wallace. "We have proven that blending intensive supervision and accountability with long-term treatment from a specially trained judge works. With Beam Global's industry leadership in the battle against hardcore drunk driving, we will continue to build on that knowledge and success and look to expand DWI Courts to all communities that need one.”

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 beverage alcohol and discourages all forms of irresponsible consumption through education, communication, research, law enforcement and other programs. The Century Council is sponsoring several programs and activities throughout April to recognize Alcohol Awareness Month. More information about The Century Council and their programs can be found at www.centurycouncil.org.

About NCDC:

The National Center for DWI Courts is a professional services division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), established in 2007 and founded through a partnership with Beam Global Spirits & Wine. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the success of DWI Courts, provide training, technical assistance and research to DWI Courts, and establish new DWI Courts nationwide. NCDC is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., The Century Council, and now the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc.

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® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

© 2009 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL.

drink smart®