Alcohol plentiful in poor, black areas

If you have been thinking that malt liquor is more plentiful in black  neighborhoods, youre right.
A University of Minnesota study revealed  that in 10 cities, malt liquor is more widely available in poor, black  neighborhoods.
The study revealed that poor neighborhoods with high  concentrations of African-Americans had significantly greater than  average number of liquor stores, 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor in  coolers, and storefront ads promoting malt liquor.
Rhona Jones-Webb,  the studys principal investigator, said she was not surprised by the  findings.  It wasnt overly surprising, as I think theres been  anecdotal evidence and we are one of the first to systematically  document that.
University researchers said that malt liquor was of  particular concern because of its high alcohol content and the fact that  its 40-ounce containers are sold cold for immediate consumption at a  low price.  The study indicated that the average 40-ounce bottle cost  just $1.87, less than a gallon of milk.
Its cheaper than pot,  cheaper than crack, said Horace Small, executive director of the Union  of Minority Neighborhoods in Boston.
Small said malt liquor sales are  a contributing factor to the myriad problems that impoverished  communities face. Youre more prone to have a chip on your shoulder  when youve got two bottles of that…in you, he said.
Small added  that while upper- and middle-class neighborhoods are likely to organize  against such businesses, disenfranchised poor and minority communities  are not likely to put up much of a fight.
Its a setup, he said.   Policy makers know theyre poor; they know theres violence. Why do  they have to put another liquor store in there? Weve got smoking  cessation programs, sex awareness programs, but no one is focusing on  fortified liquor consumption and its impact on communities, Small said.