Did you know?
Alcohol is the drug most often associated with violence.
Source: Cychosz,C.(1996)
Alcohol and interpersonal violence: Implications for educators. Journal of Health Education. 27(2), 7377.

Women & Substance   Abuse/ Addiction Issues and Women and known risks.

1/4th of all persons admitted to hospitals have alcohol problems or are undiagnosed alcoholics being treated for consequences of drinking (NIAAA, Eighth Special Report, op. cit., p. xi).

"Too often when we concentrate on providing treatment for the affected adult we forget the heavy burden that substance abuse lays on the children of those in treatment…. Often when the needs of the children are ignored, these children grow into substance-abusing adults."

- Charles G. Curie, SAMHSA Administrator

Louisiana Reform Needed for DWI Laws
Consequences for our denial and disregard for alcohol problems.

Truth- Sad situation goes on day after day-great need of reform for real comprehensive solutions-------- It is the "Drunk" or Problem Drinker (In need of Help,  that not only allows for his/her health/safety to be supported  but all of society) There is great irony in the fact that those who appear to be perpetuating the problem can also perpetuate the solution. . Imposing everything but "What Works" Those individuals  most likely  to harm/be harmed are the 35,000 people denied treatment each year after asking for help.  Imagine how many lives we could save if treatment and recovery support became a priority in our DWI Sentencing laws.  Truth is even the "not impaired" deaths would be reduced.  Our state's approach is truly tragic for our state's residents. DWI Fatal Crash Data Tell a Hidden Truth - Numbers Support a New Approach-- Impaired People are make up a  staggering 88% of the  number of " Drunk Driving Victims"  who find little hope for their denial driven alcohol problems in what amounts to an  "anti-recovery" approach in Louisiana to DWI laws and sentencing	"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."William James Background: Today, more than 20 years after pioneering groups like MADD,  organized,  we can see progress in efforts to prevent and educate the public, on the harms of drinking and driving.  The role and action of  informing America of the risks and dangers of drinking and driving have taken hold in states across the country.  Those who can choose responsibly do today because of the work of groups like MADD.  Over the last 20 plus years MADD has built a well connected National group with political power related to laws being created across the country with the promise of an end to impaired driving. Did you know:  Alcoholism is a chemical/biological disease that is primary, progressive, chronic and fatal. Are truly working to focus on efforts to reach all at risk of alcohol harms and deaths?  Thousands of people die in alcohol car crashes each year, hundreds of thousands are injured.  These numbers reflect some of the harms related to alcohol use in the U.S.  Each year more the federal government estimates that 100,000 people will die as a result of alcohol related causes. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that some 3/4 of those arrested each year are problem drinkers.  This would clearly support most harms and  deaths actually are suffered by the impaired driver as cited in national reports: Alcoholics are 5 times more likely than others to die in motor vehicle crashes.(NIAAA, Eighth Special Report, op. cit., p. 233). In Louisiana, one can't help but wonder why a focus has not been supported to carry a public health solution to remedy this public safety problem. Considering the fact that fatal crashes overly impact those who are impaired  (those who are drinking alcohol and/or other drugs) we believe a new approach is necessary.  It is not reasonable to think that those groups who work with a  mission punish the impaired individual, should be capable of addressing a public health problem. "Each year we go through this ritual," Odinet said as he asked the House to reject Chaisson's bill. He said Louisiana already has some of the harshest driving while intoxicated laws in the region and Chaisson's bill would make them more onerous"   Times Picayune June 2005 Quite simply the lack of standards and priority placed on the science driven solutions shown to be effective, demands a new approach if we are to collective reduce deaths and risks to all persons from risky/addictive drinking that continues to be viewed as a morality issue rather than a medical issue. Qualified professionals must support our effort to see end the revolving doors of alcohol dependence, and the resulting harms to people and communities.  It simply is not reasonable to believe that we can place a dependence on existing groups will result  in their sudden awakening to realize their work has little effect on those with alcohol problems, and in many cases may have created greater problems they have acted to prevent. We should hope to see a federal framework emerge that goes beyond political pressure and lends heavily on the science and proven outcomes of effective brief intervention, treatment and referral here needed, and a reduction of punitive efforts to bankrupt those most in need of solutions that have effect. This is not impossible, but needs wide support from all people who have a real desire to support healthier and safer communities for all people.  A quest for retribution is not going to support this  new approach  to reform our healthcare and judicial/law enforcement systems response to impaired people and their behaviors that place all persons in the community at risk. The core of the problem is that current DUI/DWI "lock them up"  or punitive only focused groups  have little information or knowledge on issues related to an illness that plagues individuals, communities, and our nation as a whole.  In fact, if these groups like MADD today were to recognize (like the AMA/WHO did in the 1950's) alcoholism/addiction as the primary disease/illness there would be an end to many of the unreasonable approaches being fought for today.  We should give thanks for the important framework and efforts as today,  most people understand that drinking alcohol and driving is a bad idea.  Despite this progress in educating people 2003 LA Highway Safety Data on Alcohol Highway Related Crash Deaths: Impaired                    Not    Impaired 358 63   Sad Truth--------- It is the "Drunk" or Problem Drinker (In need of Help) that is both needlessly dying and injuring or killing others. Imposing everything but "What Works" Those individuals  most likely  are the 35,000 people denied treatment each year after asking for help.  Imagine how many lives we could save if treatment and recovery support became a priority in our DWI Sentencing laws.  Truth is even the "not impaired" deaths would be reduced.  Our state's approach is truly tragic for our state's residents. DWI Fatal Crash Data Tell a Hidden Truth - Numbers Support a New Approach-- Impaired People are make up a  staggering 88% of the  number of " Drunk Driving Victims"  who find little hope for their denial driven alcohol problems in what amounts to an  "anti-recovery" approach in Louisiana to DWI laws and sentencing    and raising awareness as to the consequences of drinking and driving, many  people across the country  continue to drive vehicles while intoxicated.   This problem with alcohol use reflects the core of the problem in this country.  Alcohol problems, their prevention, treatment/recovery support have not been a priority.  DUI/DWI prevention has not been met with a public health response but rather a public safety only approach that clearly has neglected the root of the issue that claims 100,000 American lives each year. In other words, DWI/DUI is a teaspoon of the real problem, and more startling the current approach to address DUI/DWI is not stopping addictive cycles with problem drinkers but may actually be stigmatizing them and shaming them promoting the denial necessary to continue fruitless efforts to "drink just one" while society remains in the dark about real solutions that treat and support recovery.    Alcohol use in the U.S. continues to carry tremendous costs to taxpayers with the greatest burden of alcohol problems falling on state government and their budgets. In the U.S., more than 100,000 people die from alcohol related deaths each year, and estimates by the NIAAA indicate monetary costs at $185 Billion dollars each year. This makes sense when you consider Alcohol is a legal drug for those over 21, widely available, and moderate use has no social stigma for the most part.  Most people who drink, drink in moderation, and generally do not experience consequences from their alcohol use.  People do abstain from alcohol use, do not get charged with DWI.  People who moderately drink alcohol rarely have consequences from their use of alcohol.  Heavy Alcohol users are perhaps the drinkers most at risk.  Heavy alcohol use raises the risks for alcohol related health problems including alcohol dependence, alcoholism. Consequently increased use of alcohol abuse/alcoholism increase the public safety risks for the individual and their community.      Did know? Alcohol problems overshadow illicit  drug use SAMHSA Annual Research shows: 119 million Americans are "current drinkers", and of those almost 18 million are abusing alcohol. Less than  4 million people have current illicit drug use..  The current DWI laws being promoted, and implemented for the most part do not reflect the need to address problem drinkers, but rather focus on the "moderate" drinker who has present the ability to refrain from breaking the current laws for DWI.        States across the country are working on progressive DWI laws in an effort to address the obvious truth, that people who abuse alcohol, those alcohol dependent, need help for their alcohol problems before they can change their behavior.  The truth that alcoholics must accept is that they are powerless over their drinking.  This is not what they are told by our current system.  In fact, our current system goes to the other extreme, strongly suggesting that somehow someway, this person should and could "drink responsibly".  "Drinking Responsibly" doesn't exist for alcoholics.  Recovery must be centered on abstinence.  Alcoholism, is an illness, that responds much like other chronic disease does to treatment and prevention.  The need to support recovery from this illness is key to reaching this group of impaired drivers, and is yet to be incorporated in standards for DWI state law across the country. This is especially true in Louisiana.   Myth: Impaired Drivers are criminals only harming others on the road. Truth:  See Louisiana DEATHS where 88% of deaths were impaired by alcohol/others impaired with drivers- -92% of adults in Louisiana seeking substance abuse treatment are turned away. Current Sanctions only approach not conducive to helping those with alcohol problems. Louisiana Consequences.  In Louisiana, 47 % of the traffic deaths involved alcohol, last year, and we rank in the top 10 across the nation in the number of alcohol related traffic deaths.  Our laws prohibiting drinking and driving, strong penalties, and awareness of these laws,  have had  little effect on most drivers and their use/abuse of alcohol has not felt any impact.  Louisiana like other states, needs to address alcohol abuse in any and all laws that address driving while intoxicated.  The standards necessary for full reform of current laws will prevent the consequences and deaths in our state. "It ain't broke, don't fix it," said Rep. Ernest Wooton, D-Belle Chasse, a former Plaquemines Parish sheriff and a recovering alcoholic. "Most of these people are not criminals; they have a problem. Let's get their problem treated and keep them out of jail."----on repeated efforts to kill the sole hope for Alcohol treatment mandated by Odient's law. Louisiana public opinion polls clearly show that that there is strong support for helping problem drinkers get help. People also know that the amount of alcohol they drink sometimes limits their ability to drive at all.  They use a designated a driver, or call a cab, they do the "responsible" thing.  Generally, they take action to obey the law, and to prevent harm and the potential hassle involved when caught breaking the law. For these individuals, our laws on DWI are effective, in great part because they actually deter drinking and driving.  Alcoholism- Alcohol Dependence-Symptoms Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.” These drivers, who moderate their alcohol use, do so as a general rule in life. They are not  "heavy drinkers" or alcohol dependent persons.  They are yet to experience the life struggles related to their drinking that those with alcoholism (alcohol dependence) know too well. These individuals, who use alcohol in moderation, and take precautions to plan for sober and safe transportation do so because they have the ability to make good decisions related to their alcohol use in general.  Groups like MADD have been able to widely distribute awareness and knowledge of related problems, they define the correct decisions to enforce good decisions that will not result in legal trouble, or injury. Mislead Policy and Misunderstanding Why?  Why do some people by default appear choose to do this while others appear to choose the "other"  and get behind the wheel.  This has long been the challenge for non-drinkers and moderate drinkers in society.  Understanding why some people can maintain control of their lives, and use of alcohol, while others simply cannot despite their honest efforts to do so.  NEED In Louisiana Only 8% of Louisiana adult residents finding recovery support (Treatment) even less for youth, where 4.5% of Juveniles who need treatment for alcohol and other drugs find available services. A mere 32 medical detox beds are available for 4.4 million residents, Clean up costs for the lack of treatment and prevention costs Louisiana more than $8 Billion annually in direct and indirect costs according to CASA. The current Laws that respond to the problems we have with drinking and driving clearly imply that all people arrested for DWI have made poor choices, and therefore must suffer the consequences and penalties provided in the current Louisiana DWI Laws.  These laws focus on penalties, sanctions, incarceration, probation, seizing vehicles, restricting drivers licenses, etc.  They are clearly focused on penalizing those who make these "bad" choices to drink and drive.  In fact, language like "Drunk Drivers, Hard Core Drunk Drivers, Criminal Drunk Drivers, etc"  do little more than stigmatize those with alcohol problems, and discourage the solution found in recovery.  Impaired people in fact, do more than drive while impaired, and the real problem should be centered on alcohol saturated environments, and the resulting need for prevention, treatment, and recovery support services that are not currently in place in Louisiana. Alcohol related Healthcare Costs   Louisiana costs for Alcohol Use on the Healthcare system. Hopenetworks, working to see solutions brought forward identified in this overview of change from  2004 Legislative session. Why Continue to fight over issues that have little impact consider the following: Of the 21,000 arrested for DWI last year alone it is estimated that 14,000 need medical treatment for alcohol abuse/alcoholism and we have no way to identify those persons or to screen and treat them today.  Our Urgent Need for Reform of DWI Sentencing Laws Staggering Truths--that are often not disclosed please consider  these facts: 403 traffic fatalities were estimated to be alcohol related in 2003. 88% of all alcohol deaths were of Impaired people----yet current systems support no help to reduce the number of impaired persons, but rather support the denial needed to sustain an alcoholics dangerous and harmful use of alcohol. The Medical Community and the People of our State Agree: American Medical Associations Policy on DWI and Screenings--Urges all states to pass legislation mandating all drivers convicted of first and multiple DWI offenses be screened for alcoholism and provided with referral and treatment when indicated.   Rep. Kenneth Odinet, D-Arabi has Pioneered Treatment and Recovery Support Legislation in Louisiana.   See the OAD study Treatment for alcohol addiction has proven as effective as treatment for other chronic, manageable, long-term health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, so long as the treatment is well delivered and tailored to the needs of the particular patient. Baffling to Non-Alcoholics People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic can’t just “use a little willpower” to stop drinking. Alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful “craving,” or uncontrollable need, for alcohol that overrides their ability to stop drinking. This need can be as strong as the need for food or water. NIAAA Alcoholism: Getting the Facts  (NIH Publication No. 96–4153)[Brochure]. Amazingly--Even with our extreme DWI Problems in Louisiana we have no standards at all for Alcohol Abuse-Alcohol Dependence Screening/Referrals for Treatment for those 1st and 2nd DWI Arrests/Convictions- How can we ever hope that those driving with alcohol problems will stop when they need help that they can't get in our current system? DUI/DWI- Solution Review from NIAAA Louisiana costs for Alcohol Use on the Healthcare system. DWI 2004PowerPoint on Louisiana DWI Laws and Reform   OAD Report Treatment is working for DWI offenders
	Coming May 15, 2005 Draft Report on Addiction, and Louisiana Data on Addiction related Crime and Incarceration.
"We can't end the consequences of a problem if we fail to address the problem.  If we really want to stop drinking and driving, then our broken system must be changed. You can't have research showing that 315,000 residents meet the criteria for addiction and need help for alcohol/other drug problem, and expect not to have major problems as a direct result in society" Samantha-Hope Atkins, contact for additional information, public speaking, or media interviews Sam@Hopenetworks.org