The intent of the APPP is to produce a scholarly, authoritative, dispassionate, critical, and timely analysis to contribute to public health and social welfare policy processes in relation to a broad range of alcohol issues. A review of the scientific literature will emphasize conclusions pertaining to the state of knowledge about relationships between policy initiatives and patterns and levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. A final and concise report will address the practical needs of the policy world and achieve a wide distribution. Meeting participants agreed that the final report will consider at a general level the relations between alcohol consumption levels and patterns and alcohol-related problems and the influence on both consumption and problem rates of prevention and intervention measures.