Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 Source: El Defensor Chieftain (NM) Copyright: 2008 El Defensor Chieftain Contact: http://www.dchieftain.com/site/feedback.html Website: http://www.dchieftain.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2520 Author: Pilar Armstrong, El Defensor Chieftain Reporter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) COLLABORATIVE ADDRESSES ALCOHOL AND DRUG ISSUES On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Mayor's Drug Task Force panel met with members of non-profit outreach groups from surrounding counties to familiarize themselves with neighboring prevention-oriented programs and legislative proposals. Proposed legislation on underage drinking, preventative outreach programs, changing views on alcohol and drug abuse were all topics of discussion. Eliminating underage drinking and drug abuse is the primary goal of these task forces. While the assembled representatives are vigilant in their efforts, their challenge is great. According to a report provided by the Attorney General's Office at Wednesday's meeting, drug and alcohol abuse in rural areas, like Socorro, is among the highest in the nation. In 2007, 31 percent of all high school students from New Mexico had their first drink before age 13. New Mexico boasts a rate nearly four times the national average of 8 percent. According to one local task force member, much of the problem lies within the home. Nadine Ulibarri-Keller explained the reason behind this behavior. "The majority of these kids are not drinking at school or in public, they're drinking at home" said Ulibarri-Keller. "The families of these kids are very engaged in their drinking problems, they show them how to drink and drug." The Socorro Task Force In 2003, Socorro City Council member Ernest Pargas asked Mayor Ravi Bhasker if he could form a drug task force. "We went from being just a group of people sitting around and talking to an official power to affect legislation," said Pargas. During the past two years, the City of Socorro has established a policy for a drug-free work place, erected billboards at the city's north and south ends that urge parents to "Talk with Your Kids," and increased funding for narcotics investigations. Proposals For State Legislation During this week's meeting, guest speakers from the New Mexico Prevention Network -- a non-profit group that aims to prevent alcohol and substance abuse -- discussed the status of the proposed Underage Drinking Policy for the 2009 Legislative Session. Attorney General Gary K. King is working with the underage drinking alliances across New Mexico to propose new legislation that will affect minors. The proposed legislation highlights five new laws: - - A ban on caffeinated alcohol energy drinks - - Prohibiting alcohol consumption by minors - - Regulate alcohol advertising to minors - - Expand the county's option for taxing alcohol - - Taxing "alcopops," malt liquor beverages, at an appropriate tax rate The first law in the proposed 2009 underage drinking legislation asks for a ban on caffeinated alcohol energy drinks. Research obtained by the Attorney General's Office showed that college students who consume caffeinated alcohol energy drinks mixed with alcohol engage in more dangerous and violent activity. A recent press release from King's office, stated that MillerCoors had agreed to discontinue producing the pre-mixed alcohol energy drink "Spykes." Information in the AG's press release implied that prior to this action, MillerCoors had been heavily marketing this drink to young consumers. The second proposal calls for prohibiting alcohol consumption by minors. The Attorney General's Office is currently using a model called, Purchase Intoxication Possession, as part of a first offender program for minors. Under current laws, police officers cannot arrest minors for possession of alcohol if they don't drink and drive. It is illegal to sell alcohol to minors, however, it isn't illegal for minors to consume alcohol. The proposed prohibition of alcohol to minors' law would make it illegal for minors to consume alcoholic beverages. "It would set up the mechanism to get kids into early intervention courses. Kids will learn about the consequences of drinking alcohol," said Glenn Wieringa, New Mexico Department of Transportation's underage drinking prevention coordinator. "The intent (of the law) is to intervene early and get help for the kids who drink." The third measure calls for regulating alcohol advertising to minors. According to the New Mexico Prevention Network, minors who are constantly bombarded with advertisements from alcohol distributors are more likely to drink alcohol. The Attorney General's Office hopes that regulating and even banning alcohol advertisements around schools will reduce alcohol consumption by minors. The fourth proposed law calls for expanding county options for taxing alcohol. New Mexico has not had an increase in alcohol sales taxes in several years. Under the proposed law alcohol sales can be taxed up to 5 percent. The revenue generated would fund alcohol and drug prevention and treatment programs throughout the state. The fifth and final measure the group is hoping to push through calls for taxing "alcopops" at an appropriate rate. "Alcopops" are beverages in which the malt liquor has been taken out during the distilling process. The Attorney General's Office cites examples of "alcopops" such as Smirnoff Ice and Mike's Hard Lemonade. Spirits are added at the end of the distillation process. This process decreases taxes on the beverages. "Taxing these beverages at the rate of distilled spirits will have a direct relation to young consumers because it will raise the price by as much as 15 percent," said Phil Sisneros, director of communication for the Attorney General's Office. "Studies show that the increased price should decrease sales (to younger consumers) by as much as 35 percent." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D