Native American's and Casino's 12/17/02
this TIME article investigates the real Jackpot recipients, startling to find out how little
good, and how much struggle the Gaming industry has brought to most living on reserves across the country.  Read the article

11/27/02  We need to re-evaluate our efforts in this state.  Why are people drinking in driving here? What is different about Louisiana than Mississippi? 

LOUISIANA
MADD Grade: C, down from a B in 2000
Legal Limit: A blood alcohol level of 0.08
Alcohol-related Fatalities: 445 or 47 percent of all 954 fatal crashes
Annual Cost of Alcohol-related Crashes: $2,800,000,000

MADD gives LA "C" on report card for efforts to reduce drunk driving while our deaths related to drunk driving certainly are above "average".  LAFAYETTE - Mothers Against Drunk Driving have given Louisiana a "C" for its efforts to curb drinking and driving in its latest report card. read the article Louisiana scores "Average" attempts to reduce drunk driving
 

Looking for Alternatives to locking up kids. 
"Too many kids who commit low-level offenses are being locked up for a very long time," he said.

American Medical Association Blasts  Alcohol Industry, profiting off our children, calls for ban in advertising to minors. 12/11/02  (New Orleans)" It's time TV executives and the alcohol industry stop profiting at the hands of those most harmed by drinking,'' said J. Edward Hill, the AMA chairman. The report is based on two decades of scientific research that concluded that alcohol use during adolescence is associated with damage to memory, learning capabilities, decision-making, and reasoning and that young drinkers are more likely to perform poorly in school and experience social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, and violence.  This information, we hope will encourage policy makers to view Alcohol policy as a priority, Louisiana's overwhelming "social plagues" and continued poor performance in public schools should be considered when reviewing the advertising policies of the Alcohol industry in Louisiana.  Alcohol is an illegal drug for minors in Louisiana.  So, why is it so excepted in our culture?  Why are minors, adults, and seniors so impacted by alcohol?  Generally speaking, there seems to be a lack of information and education, and it is refreshing to see the AMA call for action based on studies that afford the public with information from a source they know and trust.  The call for banning Television advertising is just in my opinion a small step, we must address the great costs both in lives, and dollars as they relate to America's number one abused drug,  Alcohol.

College Bars,  Zero Tolerance policy needed, Bars find small consequence for advertising and inviting   minor's to drink? What we are doing surely is not working.  LSU  bars serving minors, it has been going on as long as we can remember, and why should they stop? Really, why?  If there are little or  no significant consequences, for this very lucrative, and profitable area of sales, even with petty fines placed, why should those violating the law stop doing so?  It hurts their revenue, they depend on heavy college drinking in this region, it really is about dollars.  Just like the the tremendous public health problem and social ills, its about the money we tax payers are forced to pay to clean up the social ills of an industry that for some reason is untouchable.   Read this article, slap on the wrist for serving 6 minors.
 

Poor Women, Poor Health, Poor chance of surviving off Welfare.

"Health always represents the ultimate expression of social well-being. Accordingly, health providers are always the inheritors of failed social policy."  source:  AMWA, Editorial, Welfare Reform and Women's Health

This is a very insightful view of many of the issues we are facing in this state.  Although our TANF programs have found great success in taking women off welfare, the outside issues related to their health, and that of their children, has played a role in the return to state dependence, rather than continuing growth and prospering independence.  One of those issues obviously is the nation's number one public health problem, addiction and addiction related disease.  Until we provide treatment services that are comprehensive in nature to low income populations we may continue to remove these women from our welfare rolls, but we better keep their seats warm, they will be back!  Read  the Editorial Welfare, Women, and Children:  It's Time for Doctors to Speak Out

Governor Foster supports 2nd chance? A state lawmakers son, who has sought and undergone gambling treatment, is now employed in a state agency, that is under fire.  It appears that the son's gambling problem was directly related to issues he had in a state job he formerly held.  I believe this is the first time I have heard our Governor openly speak about providing treatment and a "2nd chance" to addicts who have sought to right their wrongs, and live a life of recovery.  Thank you Governor!  Below are few quotes and a link to the entire article.

"You don't fire someone when they have a problem," Foster told his radio audience. It's my understanding that he's had a gambling problem," Foster said, noting Johnny Alario has since received treatment for that gambling problem.

Many in La. still living in poverty

Education needs immediate improvements.

Louisiana Schools are still at the bottom of the barrel in overall national comparisons, we may be making progress, but not enough obviously.  I for one do not believe that all issues are being addressed.  How many of these children are growing up in homes with active domestic violence, substance abuse, and or absent parents for a whole host of reasons? Surely the millions of dollars going to incarcerate, and otherwise "clean up" the consequence of addiction in this state could bring a better day for our children,  being spent for improvements that impact children NOW, not in 20yrs as discussed in this article.

State lawmaker takes jab at Landrieu
WASHINGTON -- As Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., begins running campaign ads today responding to weeks of Republican attacks, she also must contend with rumbling in her own party as two prominent African-American state senators have questioned her outreach to them and their constituents.

State Gets Mega Bucks for West Nile....3.4 million bucks, buys heck of allot of "Off"

Driving, Alcohol, and Death.

Port Allen man receives 30 year sentence for taking life while legally drunk and driving.  How can their be any justice?  This was a 2nd conviction for this drunk driver, wonder how many times he has driven and not been arrested?  Read this article

Children stealing groceries for their parents? This eight year old is caught stealing food and beer for his parents, the parents waiting outside deny they know the child, they are locked up now, not sure where the little boy is, think of the long term consequences here.  Why should a child be faced with these issues?  Could community support in place thru church's and and life skills classes have made a difference?  People do what they know, and I have wonder if these parents were not simply doing what they too were taught too.  The beer being stolen, reminds me of the "willing to go to any lengths" nature of alcoholism, not that any of this is an acceptable excuse for this behavior, it is not.  Do these people have to steal? and why?

 New Orleans Brothel getting National Media

Wildlife Reserve brings lots of conflict for Governor Foster