ALCOHOL ABUSE SHOULD BE A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Domestic Violence Is Serious.

Unfortunately, sometimes, as in the case of Elaine Boone Williams, it is
deadly serious. The use of alcohol is the most common variable among
contributing factors in incidents of domestic violence, whether toward
women, children or elders. However, this fact is often given no more
than a cursory mention in news reports. This is probably no mere
coincidence. Contributions by the alcoholic beverage industry totaled
more that $11.5 million in the 2000 federal election cycle. Since 1990,
the total is more than $43 million. In Florida, the total for the 2000
cycle was more than $1.5 million.

If we are to believe the latest news that the crime rate in Florida has
dropped (all while the volume of crime has remained constant if not
increased); that the "war" against drugs and domestic violence must
continue in order to eradicate these "scourges" from our lives; and that
the trend toward "zero tolerance" is one of the most effective "weapons"
to combat these "enemies," then the use of alcoholic beverages and the
profits derived from their sales should be at the top of the list of
drugs to "defeat."

Which legislator will be the first to "sound the charge"?

Jacob Lerner