Louisiana Resource Page
The single drug linked to the
largest percentage of state costs is alcohol. We were able to identify
$9.2 billion in state spending linked to only to alcohol
CASA-Shoveling Up the Costs Substance Abuse.
37% of 8th graders who drink heavily attempt
suicide, while 11% of non-drinking 8th graders attempt suicide.
-Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Nearly one-fourth of all
persons admitted to general hospitals have alcohol problems or are
undiagnosed alcoholics being treated for the consequences of their
drinking
(NIAAA, Eighth Special Report,
op. cit., p. xi).
Read the"
National Treatment Plan"
"Never
doubt a small group of thoughtful people could change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
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 Louisiana
News&Commentary
by Samantha-Hope Atkins
need for Ethics Law
Changes to end the unfair advantage of the liquor lobby!
Free, lobbyist-paid restaurant meals, receptions where
liquor flows and tables are laden with food, and casual
cocktails are all essential currency in a legislative
session. On any session night, the Ruth's Chris steakhouse
off Interstate 10 is crowded with legislative heavyweights
and their lobbyist "sponsors."
Read the entire article from the Times Picayune
Who will sponsor the people of Louisiana?
With our
staggering numbers related to alcohol and crash fatalities
and injuries, this was one more effort (which makes
total common sense!) to keep alcohol out of vehicles by
ending the existing allowance for passengers to have open
containers of alcohol in vehicle. The
"open container law" had wide
support from across the state, and this appeared to be
greatly overshadowed by an
invitation
sent out by Chris Young, and Gina Goings of the Liquor lobby
to our Louisiana Legislators in the House Transportation
committee--on LA HOUSE OF REP LETTERHEAD!
Needless to say, this invitation went out the afternoon of
the committee vote, to the committee members, the alcohol
lobby had to have support from to kill the open container
bill. They needed the House Transportation Committee,
to kill this bill that had survived other committees and now
in an unprecedented effort to redirect this bill and keep it
from the House floor, this vote was critical.
HopeNetworks, and member groups were seeking support
for the "open container bill" in a state where close to 850
people lost their lives on our roads, and almost half of
those involved alcohol, how could legislators not support
this? How could anyone not support reducing these
numbers?
It seems
The Louisiana alcohol lobby, has had a long track
history, among others, known for "buying their way" in
and out of committees. Although committee members
claim that these wining and dining's have no impact on their
votes, it is strangely curious that they continue to side
with the cash rich industries and that provide great spoils
for key votes. It is really interesting that
those who got the invitation to a dinner and drinks at
"Sullivan's" last year-also implied that they could not "be
bought". If that is the case then why not remove any
appearance of improper influence of their votes? How
silly the arguments sound, against legislation like "open
container" which was killed after unbelievable efforts of
the Alcohol Lobby.
Anyone in our state can see that we have a problem, with
alcohol, and vehicles, it is just common sense less alcohol
in vehicles less possibility for harm. So, we don't
believe for one minute that the favors of George Brown and
crew go unnoticed to all of these legislators. What
does often go unnoticed is the will of the people that elect
these public servants.
We need to address this problem head on, and we need our
lawmakers to work with us, the people of this state. The
attempt to change our lax ethics laws, will find support
from those law makers who really are not influenced by
lobbyists wining and dining, and truly concerned about the
appearance of accepting such gifts. It is
doubtful that the changes will be made in the law, in fact
finding an author is the first big hurdle, but clearly
to do so, law makers would assist citizens in their efforts
to improve their communities and show good faith.
Volunteers driven to improve their communities will never be
able to compete the millions of these lobbies, and we need
to support laws that bring our voice to the front, not bury
it under invitations to "Sullivan's" on our tax payer
purchased letterhead used by House of Rep--that is just
wrong anyway you look at it.
Back
to LA News Alerts
Related Links:
www.BigAlcohol.com |
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Write Samantha-Hope
Sam@HopeNetworks.org |
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