May 17, 2005

LCBO AND MADD CANADA OFFER SUMMER GOOD HOST KIT TO HELP PREVENT DRINKING AND DRIVING

To help prevent drinking and driving and make summer entertaining enjoyable and safe, LCBO and MADD Canada are offering the Summer Good Host Kit to help hosts with unexpected overnight guests who have drunk too much and shouldn't drive.

The Summer Good Host Kit comes in a bright orange, see-through carrying case and includes sample-size toiletry items, such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, and sun protection, as well as LCBO responsible hosting tips. It sells for $9.95 (retail value $24), with $3.00 from each sale donated to MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

This solutions-based promotion is modeled after LCBO and MADD Canada's highly-successful December 2004 Holiday Good Host Kit. Money from summer kit sales will help MADD Canada deliver a new alcohol-education program to more than 300,000 Ontario high school students.

"Consumer interest in the holiday season kit showed us hosts are interested in practical ways to accommodate and encourage guests to stay overnight rather than drink and drive," said LCBO Chair and CEO Andrew Brandt. "The Summer Good Host Kit offers good value and helpful tips for consumers who've told us they want workable solutions to help them be responsible hosts. Of course, the best strategy is to plan ahead and prevent guests from drinking too much, and for guests to take a cab, transit, or arrange for a designated driver if they plan on drinking, but this doesn't always happen," he added.

English and French Summer Good Host Kits will be available at some 460 selected LCBO stores in Ontario, from May 20 until Labour Day, while quantities last. 

"Demand is again expected to be high for the Summer Good Host Kit, especially in cottage country, as more and more hosts look for practical tools to help them entertain responsibly," said Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's Chief Executive Officer. "Summer brings more BBQs, pool parties and cottage gatherings with family and friends --- and sadly more alcohol-related crashes on our roads and waterways. With more occasions to consume alcohol, the kit is a convenient and effective way to discourage guests from getting into vehicles and boats with anyone who has been drinking," he explained.

For more information about the Summer Good Host Kit, responsible hosting and summer party planning ideas and tips, visit the LCBO Web site at www.lcbo.com or call the toll-free bilingual Infoline at 1-800-ONT-LCBO (668-5226). In Toronto, call 416 365-5900 or visit your nearest LCBO store.  The TTY number for the deaf and hearing impaired is 416 864-6898 or 1-800-361-3291.

/Note to PHOTO EDITORS: A photo of the Summer Good Host Kit accompanying this release is available on the Canadian Press Photo Network/.

See photo caption:  Be a good host this summer and help prevent drinking and driving - give your guests everything they need for a comfortable overnight stay.  The Summer Good Host Kit is available, while quantities last, at participating LCBO stores across Ontario for $9.95, with $3.00 from every sale going to MADD Canada.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Alanna Schacht, Marketing Communications Media Relations Coordinator, LCBO

Tel. 416 864-6803; Fax. 416 365-5935

E-mail: alanna.schacht@lcbo.com

Andrew Murie, Chief Executive Officer, MADD Canada

Tel. 905 813-6233, ext. 224; Fax. 905 813-8920