Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage drinking, protesting the alcohol industries marketing practices that targets Louisiana Youth--For Immediate Release                                                                             July 1, 2003 Contact: Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking                          
“Student Advocates Send Beer Industry Clear Message”           
Washington, DC- Students from 10 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico gathered at the front door of the Beer Institute with a very clear message, “Don’t Target Us!”. The youth chanted underage drinking prevention slogans while wearing t-shirts with targets imprinted on them, held brightly colored signs with statistics about underage drinking and carried oversized advertisements obviously targeting youth all in an effort to bring awareness to the role advertising and the alcohol industry play in underage drinking. Three students, representing the group, had the opportunity to meet with the Chief Operating Officer of the Beer Institute and presented him with a petition signed by all the students stating youth are tired of being targeted by alcohol ads.  At the request of the Beer Institute, the student advocates were moved across the street, away from the entrance of the building, which only made their passion for their mission grow stronger. This protest was only one of the many components of the National Youth Advocacy Assembly, held in Lansdowne, VA. The four-day Assembly also focused on networking, advocacy training, and environmental policy issues.

 Louisiana is 2nd in the nation in alcohol related traffic fatalities and half of all underage deaths are alcohol related. To combat the battle against underage drinking in Louisiana, the Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking hosts LA STARS (Louisiana Students Targeting Alcohol Reduction State-wide) which is a state-wide version of the National Youth Advocacy Assembly. For more information about other youth education programs, you can contact the Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking at 1-877-80-SOBER .

New Laws to make Trucking safer, but questions must be raised on the fact that  workplace discrimination is to be the result of the new laws.  Public Safety is a priority on our highways, and should be.  The problem becomes clear when we realize that the laws soon to be enacted are removing  a persons ability to work  and earn a living  due to their untreated disease.   In Louisiana only 8% of those who need treatment for an addictive disorder find available help.  Alcoholism and addiction are not specific to any trade, industry,  or profession.  With the lack of available treatment in the public sector, and the lack alcohol and drug treatment coverage for those with private insurance, it appears that people who suffer from alcohol and other drug addictions will soon be easily banned from working as truck drivers in the U.S.

No Treatment, No Job
Truck Drivers, who suffer from this disease but can not get help (even when they ask for it) are in jeopardy of loosing their ability to work in their trade for 10 years (with treatment completed) or a lifetime if they don't go to treatment.  This raises the question of those who recover in 12step groups which in Louisiana is often the only available source of help for alcohol and drug problems.  This means that recovering persons now with multiple years of recovery, can be discriminated against in jobs that require the CDL license (needed to be hired as a trucker).

Research clearly shows that access to available effective treatment greatly improves a persons ability to get and stay clean and sober.  In addition, people recover Alcoholism and addiction much they recover from other chronic illness like diabetes. The path most likely to reduce injury to all do to the lack of treatment, public education and available recovery resources for alcoholics/addicts is not in locking them up and removing their livelihood, but in working harder to see available help delivered to those most at risk and most in need.  We need more treatment for substance abuse and not tougher laws that continue to suppress the availability of resources by strengthening  the stigma of addiction with destructive laws.  Continuing to communicate that treatment works, and asking for more availability is one area we must focus on,  or who knows maybe the push will become stronger and all recovering persons will be unemployed.  I am certain of this, Louisiana does not have the resources to cover the costs of life for the number of addicts/alcoholics in the state both in need and living in recovery.  Read the entire article here

6/16/03 Full House Votes on first of two "Open Container"  bills ---This just makes no sense to me.   The argument by Rep Townsend (same guy that was working for the alcohol industry earlier in the session to get this bill sent into the committee hearing shuffle in an effort to keep it from reaching the floor) uses is totally weak, but what should we expect?  The 2nd highest number of alcohol/highway deaths in the nation, and he is afraid that a "Grandma" will be stopped with coffee on basis of it being an open container?  Makes no sense.  None, they know that!.  This is the old trick that seems to work, the alcohol industry sends one legislator out to spin "something" to deflect from the truth.  The truth is Louisiana has a major problem with alcohol  related costs and harm, and we need to deal with these issues and the $814 million tax payers must pay for this industries open door policy to those with drinking problems, and underage drinkers--which requires legislators committed to improving the health and safety of citizens in Louisiana and not their next fund raiser's need for free kegs!  The will of the people should always prevail.

The Senate stands behind its efforts for public safety in Louisiana!
Senator Chaisson breathes life back into Open Container Bill- Despite the Alcohol lobby,  Read the story  on  how The full House must now vote on this legislation.

see the story on Open Container here     Information on Open Container    Contact  info  write House members

National Legislation to support Recovery!HR 2256-Heart Act 2003- Congressman Ramstad (MN)-has filed a bill to end health insurance discrimination against people who need alcohol and other drug treatment.  Read the Bill Introduced and referred to committee May 2003, Read the Federal Legislation HR 2256  we will be drafting letters to  support this legislation, as we must show support for this federal legislation in days coming! 

State tax payer funded labor and resources used to persuade a vote to kill responsible public safety legislation.
Most people who greatly need policy supporting a healthy Louisiana could not afford to swoon Louisiana House Transportation Committee members at Sullivan's restaurant   The alcohol lobby appears to have control over the employees of the House Transportation committee.  This invitation  was sent out just  prior to a critical vote on SB 479 to all voting House Transportation committee members and staff .  As you can see the committee's letterhead (state property) was used to support an effort by two Louisiana Alcohol Lobbyists.  The Alcohol Lobby appears to have a shady background related to "under the table" deals to have their with our state legislators (see www.georgebrown.net)

Senator Chaissons SB 479 makes very good sense in a state that is ranked 2nd in the nation in alcohol related highway fatalities.  After sailing thru the Louisiana Senate, and 2 House committee's at thanks to the alcohol lobby's manipulating practices this bill landed in yet a 3rd committee.  The House transportation Committee then proceeded to kill this bill by deferring it, and saving the members of the house from accountability in a full vote.  In addition, $10 million dollars in federal public safety money is lost, and Louisiana safety and health are overlooked for political favor.  Let's hope Senator Chaisson will find a way to breathe life back into this legislation, it certainly would be nice if there was a way for the will of the people to be heard.

Local good government groups are now reviewing the course of action necessary to end this unethical illegal practice use of tax payer resources for lobbying.

Links and articles:
Strong  Editorial from Baton Rouge's Advocate

The same panel also got an invitation -- on committee letterhead -- for a 6:30 p.m. dinner Tuesday night at swanky Sullivan's Steak House off College Drive, sponsored by liquor lobbyists who opposed the measure.

Full JAMA article These data suggest that underage drinkers and adult excessive drinkers are responsible for 50.1% of alcohol consumption and 48.9% of consumer expenditure.

Sharon Ayres, and the Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking, awarded the Safe and Drug Free Schools award for Visionary of the Year!     Sharon and I recently were guests on Louisiana Live with Jim Engster, discussing the importance of upcoming HB 825,  and it has been a pleasure working with Sharon and her staff.  When HopeNetworks, first formed Sharon and the "Alcohol Policy people", as we called them, welcomed our collaborative community approach, focused on addressing the root issues that have plagued Louisiana for years.  Sharon and her staff recently attended the Rally for Recovery, and she has been committed to working in communities to improve public policy related to underage drinking.  For those in he recovering community thinking and addressing this issue, has been something we dodged.  The issue is now something we have embraced, as our children face the greatest risk of lifetime harm related to alcohol consumption.  Thank you Sharon!! 

Parity SB778 Dead for this Session
Special thanks to Senator Irons
 Dr. Ken Roy
Senator Paulette  Iron's worked closely with both the recovering community, and addiction professionals, filed a bill (SB778) that would end discrimination that families in Louisiana face when seeking medical care for alcohol and drug addiction. 
The bill was heard in the Senate Insurance Committee on April 23, 2003.  Senator Tarver the Chair of the committee, rushed those on both sides to speak for and opposed.  HopeNetworks working to educate policy makers showed this video created using the CASA "Shoveling up" study, and Dr. Ken Roy, and Senator Irons, all were "for" SB 778.   An Insurance Lobbyists (a paid worker of the Insurance Industry) and LABI opposed this bill.  They appeared with what they called a "fiscal" note, saying it would cost tax payers 65million dollars to remove the disease discrimination regarding treatment for substance abuse.  This was obviously a last minute move to kill the bill.  Powerful well paid, entrenched, "old school" lobbyists know how the system works.  The author of the bill the 250 green cards signed by those in RECOVERY (Living examples that people can and do recover from Alcohol and Drug Addiction) Dr. Ken Roy, a specialist in the practice of addiction medicine spoke to the fiscal savings to Louisiana's budget, and the lives and community issues.  Senator Tarver, did not even acknowledge the 250 green cards signed in favor of the legislation,  nor the time and energy so many spent to travel to Baton Rouge to voice their support, in fact he totally discounted the value of recovery in Louisiana.  Senator Tarver who did get many letters from those supporting this( we were cc:d on them)  may have some explaining to do.  Maybe I am idealistic, but I still believe in democracy, and the will of the people, both certainly spoke that day.  Costs for those insured would amount to $12.00 more per year.  Choosing to sway with "political pals" over constituents, can't possibly be a good thing.  We will continue working on Parity legislation.  Realizing what untreated addiction costs Louisiana (according to CASA 8 Billion dollars annually) any and all efforts by our legislature to reduce state spending will remain futile, until we begin to change policy related to addictive disorders.  Addiction is a disease, with great social impact.  We will work hard to support this bill in November in Washington D.C., and if need be bring it back up for law makers again.  The Recovery Rally was an amazing experience, and we thank all who took off time from work, found childcare, or did whatever it took to attend.  Real People Really Recover, and we are so grateful to have you all working to make Louisiana a better place to work and raise our families!  Thank you!

Law makers desperately need to be educated on the root cause of DWI problems in this state.
"In hindsight, the bill went too far," said Sen. Joel Chaisson, D-Destrehan, and sponsor of the measure.  Senate Bill 405 is designed to undo changes state lawmakers approved in 2001 that offered some sort of treatment for those with obvious alcohol dependence. 
This bill is furthering the problem, and not a focus on the solution.  If Senator Chaisson really wanted to reduce DWI related deaths, he would mandate screenings for anyone arrested for DWI.    His attempt to pass legislation to remove the very small number of people in need getting treatment for alcoholism and driving while intoxicated is not an effective way to treat a brain disease.  What these folks need to realize, and have been provided information on, is that treatment must be effective, and available to those in need.  Do they know we only have 32 medical detox beds in the state?  More than 35,000 people ask for but are turned away for substance abuse treatment each year?  We have more than 1000 people waiting on a list to get help on any given day in Louisiana.  If they want to reduce the harm related to alcoholics behind the wheels, perhaps treating the alcoholic would be a start.  The AMA declared Alcoholism to be a primary disease back in 1956.  In addition, why does someone need 3 or 4 arrets for DWI to be a candidate for treatment?  This bill needs amendments, those in the recovering community or with a real desire to stop alcohol related deaths on the highway should be outraged by Chaisson's bill.  Read the article

Youth in Baton Rouge, Worried about Alcohol & Drug abuse.
From the mouths of our own babe's!  The Mayors office has a commission that looks at the concerns of youth in Baton Rouge, It is amazing that 16year olds realize the impact of alcohol advertising, and the added pressures it brings to youth.Teen sex, drugs and alcohol abuse worry Crystal Mitchell, 16, also a commission member.   Mitchell said she's worried about the mixed messages that television entertainers and beer commercial advertisers send to young people.  "Teens see these people living the glamorous life, and they display sex like it's something everybody needs and that it has no consequences. Alcohol is almost portrayed like a game. It's seen as fun," Mitchell says. read the article

Slidell Police Chief talks to HopeNetworks-  Regular compliance checks differ from Louisiana's ATC rates. 
10 of the 12 outlets sold beer to minor's last week.  These 10 Alcohol outlets failed to comply with the existing law that requires a minimum age of 21 to purchase alcohol.  Last week Slidell's Police Chief answered questions on underage drinking, HopeNetworks will release this video online, and hold a press conference this Thursday April 17th for the media. The office charged with reporting compliancy shows that some 90% of the outlets in St. Tammany Parish comply with the mandatory 21 law.  However, Slidell's police chief declares that his compliance checks and  related alcohol problems in Slidell, such as drunk driving, bar room fights, domestic violence, and injury related all show the ATC to be misleading.  The chief goes on to describe the inability to enforce mandatory 21 in some dark crowded bar rooms. See all Press information on this HopeNetworks Interview

20 year old drinking driving and damaging-4 people.
Police said the driver responsible for the accident was Dustin Lejeune, 20, of Ville Platte. He was charged with DWI, four counts of vehicular negligent injury and passing on the shoulder, Troop I officials said. more

States are broke, trend to treat addicts to reduce recidivism, and cut costs to state budgets.
Louisiana leads the nation in incarceration, other states are reducing state spending, reducing crime, by treating addicts that are doomed to repeat their behavior without help.

Treatment, not jail: Another group of states - Texas, Oregon, California, Idaho and Arkansas - have expanded the use of drug treatment to greatly lower prison costs. Since about  80 percent of prison inmates have serious drug and alcohol problems, and states currently spend so little on prevention and treatment, this strategy has great potential for reducing budget deficits.   California, for example, expects its treatment programs to send 24,000 fewer persons to prison each year. In Arkansas, judges now have the discretion to sentence offenders convicted of non-violent, non-sexual offenses to treatment as opposed to a prison term.  Read the entire article

MADD-19 Billboards go up in Louisiana, portraying the impact of our Alcohol problems in this state.  More than 400 people lost their lives in Louisiana last year in alcohol related highway crashes, we have a crisis on our roads, Cathy Childers, state Director for MADD,  has done an excellent job in this state educating many on the impact of DWI fatalities, reminding us, that these are real lives, lost.  We need to address the real issues, MADD has recognizes that problem drinkers need help, and accountability, together we are working within our network to see that policy in Louisiana, begins to address the real problems, that result in these fatalities.  Untreated Alcoholism, virtually guarantees that this problem will grow, read their national position supporting DWI courts, and other treatment/accountability positions here

Also get a copy of the JAMA study, clearly showing that more than 50% of consumption of alcohol in the U.S. is by problem drinkers, including our youth.

DWI Task Force, yet to address untreated alcoholism.
"The task force includes advocates for anti-alcohol groups and representatives of the liquor industry as well as public safety officials and other law enforcement representatives. " from the article in the Shreveport Times

I can't figure out who the Anti Alcohol groups are, I think this fella means MADD, but considering that we are 2ND IN THE NATION in highway alcohol related fatalities on the roads, having the state director of MADD, on the Task force makes a whole lot of sense, the other members are legislators, Alcohol Lobbyists (see there info at www.GeogeBrown.net), Michael Duffy from the State Office of Addictive Disorders, and Col Champagne from Public Safety, Murphy  Painter, charged with enforcing alcohol laws, and others. 

While the task force did not endorse a specific proposal, it voted unanimously to back legislation to increase mandatory jail time for drivers convicted a third or fourth time for driving while intoxicated.  A bill passed in 2001 set a minimum jail term of 30 days and placed third-time offenders into intensive rehabilitation programs. Before the law was passed, convicted multiple offenders could have faced 10 years in prison - and still can if they fail to live up to the conditions for treatment and home incarceration.  Sen. Reggie Dupre, D-Montegut, unveiled draft legislation that would keep the provisions for intensive treatment for alcohol abuse and home incarceration after jail but would raise the minimum jail time to 90 days for a third offense and 180 days for a fourth offense.

In Louisiana we had more than 400 deaths last year  this is not acceptable, and can be reduced, if the real issue is addressed.  Increasing jail time for the alcoholic, and not increasing the 8% of treatment services available,  is not an effective approach for  treatment for a chronic disease as declared by the AMA in 1956.  The entire DWI Task force, received information and education from HopeNetworks (see our Action page).  We really can't expect a panel composed in great part t attorney's, paid lobbyists, legislators, and law enforcement to understand Addiction, and Addiction-Recovery, that is why we have been working so hard to provide this group with valuable data, facts, and information to assist.

There are other efforts underway to actually reduce  the  DWI fatalities, and crisis this state has at present..  Several bills will be authored with a more aggressive approach to screening, treating and monitoring, those arrested for violating the law and under the influence of alcohol.  What is being done, is not working, it is not enough, more than 400 deaths on our roads last year  alone, is too tragic to accept, especially considering other states have recognized that addiction is a disease, and have imposed systems that allow for both treatment, accountability.  Realizing this is not an issue of morality or weak character, will surely assist this group in moving forward in an effective solution.  You can not punish an alcoholic into a life of recovery. 
Cleaning up the costs of untreated alcoholism is a fiscal drain
see facts on addiction in LA
Part of the problem is a lack of funding for our OAD programs in Louisiana, but considering the steep fines imposed, and other costs, for DWI cases, an alternative system that would allow those dollars to be used for treating the illness makes far better sense, if the real intent is to reduce recidivism and deaths on our roads.  One of  the myths, that must be broken, is that the alcoholic has a choice in drinking responsibly, they simply have lost this ability, I hope the Task force will soon begin to see this for the public health issue it is, because not to do so, means innocent victims will continue to be subjected to the harm of alcohol on our roads.

The panel decided not to embrace Dupre's specific plan but agreed the current law needs to be modified.


Study Shows Gamblers Think More of Drinking When They are Winning
"In one study, her team brought 44 people into a simulated casino in a laboratory. Half of them were problem gamblers and half were normal gamblers. Half of each group was given moderate doses of alcohol, and all of them gambled for up to 30 minutes, using video lottery terminals. The gamblers with alcohol in their system played longer and doubled their bets more frequently."

Article on an issue of great concern to many in Louisiana, free drinks, and gambling, not a pleasant marriage for many!

We hope to see legislation passed that would provide both accountability and treatment (Modeled after our  Drug Courts in the State) to those who are identified as "problem drinkers" or alcoholics,  and are prevented due to their  untreated illness (alcoholism) from making "responsible choices" regarding their drinking. DWI courts if established, would provide the opportunity to prevent many deaths on our highways, and improve the quality of life for not just the alcoholic, but their family, friends, and the communities they live in.  Presently,  you must be convicted of a 2nd offense to even be screened for a drinking problem.

People don’t develop alcohol problems overnight. But like diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses, there are many opportunities to prevent and treat, or intervene, at an early stage.  Louisiana also needs legislation that mandates  Alcohol Screenings be required for every individual arrested  for DWI.

Most people who drink, do so responsibly, in great part because they are able to choose to do so.  The small number  of problem drinkers/alcoholics (compared to the majority who drink responsibly) bring great harm and risk to the public,  as a result of an untreated chronic illness.  Those identified  abusing alcohol (not dependent -not alcoholic) have shown to reduce and moderate their drinking when educated on steps to do so,  they are capable of doing  so unlike the alcoholic who does not have the power to choose moderation, due to their untreated illness. 

The legislation above, if passed stands to provide great hope to many people who are innocent victims of the untreated alcoholic's behaviors, as well as the alcoholic/problem drinker, his employer, family and friends.  It is hard to imagine how many lives on our highways could have already been saved (DWI courts estimate 4% reduction in highway alcohol related fatalities), and how many mother's putting their kids on school bus's this morning wouldn't be worried.

Relevant facts:

• Nearly three-quarters of drivers convicted of driving while impaired are either problem drinkers or alcoholics.
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health: Highlights from Current Research,” June, 2000.
   
• Voluntary screenings and brief interventions are effective strategies for treating alcohol problems
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Alert No. 49, “New Advances in Alcoholism Treatment,” October 2000.
   
• The federal government estimates that in 2001, 7.4 percent of full-time workers ages 18 to 49 – 6.5 million people – were alcoholic or problem drinkers.
   
• Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of preventable mortality in the US, after tobacco and diet/activity patterns (J McGinnis & W Foege, "Actual Causes of Death in the United States," Journal of the American Medical Association {JAMA}, Vol. 270, No. 18, 11/10/93, p. 2208).
  
   

This is not some third world country we live in!  In Lafayette "people begin lining up outside the clinic doors about 3 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday and sometimes will have to wait up to five hours to see a doctor, depending upon how many have volunteered that night." read the Advocates Article

This article, truly shows the kindness of many good people, healthcare professionals, however it also clearly defines a real problem hard working people face everyday in this state.  How long will people working hard have to go without basic healthcare?  Healthcare reform, access to quality services is a must if we are going to grow in this state.  Thank you to these good people, working to do what they can,  when they can,  to be part of the solution at least  until reform does take place.


Desperate need, Compassionate giving
Working citizens of this state, who can't afford health insurance, or are not offered health insurance, still have healt