In some cases, they changed or created city and local ordinances. In other cases, they changed the policies and practices of advertising companies, stores, and even manufacturers. Among the examples compiled at taxpayer expense was a San Diego campaign, involving ACT UP, among other gay groups, to link alcohol with the transmission of AIDS, increase alcohol excise taxes, expand condom availability, and eliminate advertising tying alcohol to sex. CSAP has also promoted a group of so-called guerrilla artists with an unprintable name who deface private billboards that feature alcohol advertising. Since 1989 the group has illegally altered 41 billboards, painting their own messages.
Local groups are free to attack the alcohol industry, of course.
In the name of restraining substance abuse, political activists, aided by the federal government, are lobbying local officials to interfere with responsible drinking by the vast majority of Americans - and taxpayers. CSAP also touts the importance of media advocacy training for its own staffers and local activists. The agency assists political activists in other ways. Were it concerned about the law, the agency should have been exercising greater caution in its own activities and tighter oversight of its grantees' projects. Instead, the Center seems intent on operating as close to the line of illegal lobbying as possible.