Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 March 2002 — Page 2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 15,2002

New ad campaign exposes tactics used to hook minorities to tobacco

Special to The Recorder Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation launched phase two of a public awareness campaign this week that promises to be both enlightening and infuriating —which is exactly what ITPC is after, according to Executive Director Karla Sneegas. “We want Hoosiers to take notice that Indiana has a serious smoking problem. Indiana ranks fourth in the nation in smoking prevalence.” Phase two is the beginning of ITPC's marketing campaign which will feature four new TV commercials, four new radio spots, print and billboard advertising, pro-

motional events, and an interactive Web site, along with grassroots activities. But what makes the campaign different, is its strategy. Part of the agency’s approach is designed to expose the aggressive marketing of addictive products to specific minority populations. According to ITPC, the tobacco industry has used racial targeting to increase profits since the 1950s. But now Indiana has the funding to launch a complete campaign toeducate the public about the tobacco industry and the effects of its products. One of the television commercials.

titled Infrared, is a high tech styled spot that depicts how African Americans are targeted by big tobacco. The supporting 60-second radio spot, titled YBS, goes even further. It takes the listener inside a mock tobacco executive meeting to hear a cold, calculating plan to market cigarettes specially engineered for the “young. Black and stupid.” "Research shows that most Hoosiers do not see smoking as a serious problem. We also learned that Indiana teens do not think tobacco companies are targeting or using them. And we want to change that perception,” said Sneegas. ITPC is focusing its efforts on decreas-

ing tobacco use in Indiana by 2005. Currently, Indiana ranks higher than the national average in almost all of the most unfavorable categories of smoking statistics. Studies indicate: • Indiana ranks 4th highest in the nation for smoking prevalence. • Indiana ranks 8th highest in the nation in tobacco-related deaths. • Indianapolis ranks 3rd highest in the nation (among large cities) for smoking prevalence. • Indiana mothers reported smoking during pregnancy at almost double the national rate.

ITPC says the print and outdoor advertising features two concepts: “White Lies” and “Equal Opportunity Killer.” “White Lies” clearly states that the tobacco industry uses lies and manipulative practices to sell its products. “Equal Opportunity Killer” shows that smoking-related disease and death do not discriminate. Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation was created with funds generated by the master settlement agreement between 46 state attorneys general and the tobacco industry and by legislation enacted by the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Frank O’Bannon.

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Drug store chains group creates discount drug card program for low-income seniors

WASHINGTON (AP)—A new program created by U.S. drug store chains soon may provide lowincome seniors without drug insurance an opportunity to purchase discounted prescription medications. The Pharmacy Care One Card by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores will give seniors with the card access to multiple discount programs offered by various manufacturers that agree to participate. The card will be free to seniors. “There is keen recognition that pooling existing card programs under one umbrel la makes good sense,” said Charlie Schellhom, president and chief executive of Argus Health Systems, which is in negotiations to be a program administrator. Various manufacturers have introduced their own cards, including Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. and Pfizer Inc., which charge a fee. The goal of the association is to let seniors have one free card to access all manufacturers’ discount programs, including companies that don’t offer cards. If all those manufacturers agree to participate, the new One Card would reduce consumer confusion and inconvenience as more cards enter the market, said Craig Fuller, association president and chief executive. “I hope it’s the case that the manufacturer sees us

as having significantly lowered the threshold for participation,” Fuller said. “By that I mean they don’t have to go out on their own and launch their whole new program. They have a vehicle now.” Argus will make money as an administrator of the One Card program by charging transaction fees to drug manufacturers to process claims. Free enrollment for low-income seniors is expected to begin in April. For more information, seniors can call the association at (703) 549-3001. President Bush is touting his own revised plan to encourage seniors to buy the discount cards from private companies by giving some cards what amounts to a government seal of approval. After paying a onetime enrollment fee — not more than $25 — seniors could get discounts of up to 15 percent on some medicines. White House officials said. The drug store chain association sued after Bush announced an initial plan last year, contending it did not clearly outline who must subsidize the lower prices. It also questioned whether federal officials had the power to promote the cards without congressional approval. A federal judge prevented the program from starting because of the likelihood that the government did not have that authority. But in November, he allowed the government to submit a new proposal.

lUPUI’s longtime leader plans to step down in 2003

By Associated Press The top administrator at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis plans to step down from the position next year to return to teaching and research. Gerald Bepko, 62, has been chancellor of the campus for 16 years after five years as law school dean. “It’s important for me to have another life, and I want to get started with it,” Bepko said this week. “You reach a point where your instincts to move on are stronger than your instincts to continue. That’s where I am now.” In 2003-04, Bepko will continue to help with fund raising and might teach a commercial law course. A search committee wil 1 be chosen this semester, and a search firm will be hired to help find a successor by next spring. Since Bepko took over as chancellor in 1986, enrollment has risen 22 percent to about 28,000 students. Annual research grants grew from $38 million in 1986 to $190 million this year. The campus is nearing its fund-

raising goal of $700 million. The university also has added many graduate degree programs, and special programs and services have been created to help keep undergraduates in school. “The campus has gone from a small extension to one of the leading urban universities in the country,” IU President Myles Brand said. “The catalyst for this dramatic change has been Jerry

Bepko.” Bepko acknowledged that he has unfinished business to address before leaving the position. While it has doubled to 15 percent, minority enrollment is not high enough, he said. Bepko also said he wants lUPUI’s six-year graduation rate of about 20 percent to be closer to the top rates at other urban campuses — 55 percent to 60 percent.

Evansville officer suspended over inflammatory drawing

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) —

A police officer accusedof sketching a picture depicting Ku Klux Klan members staring down a well at a Black man has been suspended for three days without pay. The city’s Police Merit Commission voted on Monday for the suspension against Officer Brent Melton, deciding that a written reprimand recommended by Melton ’ s supervisors would be too weak. “I hope this makes a statement to the entire police department that these types of attitudes and behaviors will not be tolerated,” said

Rev. Adrian Brooks, a board mem-

ber.

Melton, an Evansville police officer since 1996, admitted to his commanding officers that he sketched the drawing, the officers |

said.

The drawing was found by another officer in the trash can inside the city’s West Sector police of-

fice.

The drawing featured hooded members of the Ku Klux Klan staring down a well at a Black man. There was no question what the picture was intended to represent. Brooks said.

Statehouse recognizes black lawmakers The Indiana General Assembly The first election of an African lives, recently adopted a resolution rec- American member of the Indiana The resolution commemorates ognizing the importance of Afri- General assembly occurred in 1881, this historical achievement and the can-American lawmakers and the since that time there have been 14 contribution past and present local importance of the National Black members in the Senate and 42 mem- statesmen and women have made Caucus of State Legislators. bers in the House of Representa- on state policy issues.

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Study reveals gaps in cancer treatment

A startling health survey reveals major disparities in black cancer treatment. Blacks and other people of color have higher cancer death rates than whites because they may be treated less aggressively, say researchers in this month's

Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study suggests how whites are more likely to be aggressively treated for colon, prostate and breast cancers, citing how fewer differences existed when both racial groups

had equal access to care or went to a single health care facility. Factors such as insurance coverage, income and medical referral patterns explain the disparities that are based on 12 years of research by a group of Maryland-based doctors.