COLLABORATIVE ADDRESSES ALCOHOL AND DRUG ISSUES

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Mayor's Drug Task Force panel met with members
of non-profit outreach groups from surrounding counties to familiarize
themselves with neighboring prevention-oriented programs and legislative
proposals.

Proposed legislation on underage drinking, preventative outreach programs,
changing views on alcohol and drug abuse were all topics of discussion.
Eliminating underage drinking and drug abuse is the primary goal of these
task forces.

While the assembled representatives are vigilant in their efforts, their
challenge is great.

According to a report provided by the Attorney General's Office at
Wednesday's meeting, drug and alcohol abuse in rural areas, like Socorro,
is among the highest in the nation.

In 2007, 31 percent of all high school students from New Mexico had their
first drink before age 13. New Mexico boasts a rate nearly four times the
national average of 8 percent.

According to one local task force member, much of the problem lies within
the home.

Nadine Ulibarri-Keller explained the reason behind this behavior.

"The majority of these kids are not drinking at school or in public,
they're drinking at home" said Ulibarri-Keller. "The families of these kids
are very engaged in their drinking problems, they show them how to drink
and drug."

The Socorro Task Force

In 2003, Socorro City Council member Ernest Pargas asked Mayor Ravi Bhasker
if he could form a drug task force.

"We went from being just a group of people sitting around and talking to an
official power to affect legislation," said Pargas.

During the past two years, the City of Socorro has established a policy for
a drug-free work place, erected billboards at the city's north and south
ends that urge parents to "Talk with Your Kids," and increased funding for
narcotics investigations.

Proposals For State Legislation

During this week's meeting, guest speakers from the New Mexico Prevention
Network -- a non-profit group that aims to prevent alcohol and substance
abuse -- discussed the status of the proposed Underage Drinking Policy for
the 2009 Legislative Session.

Attorney General Gary K. King is working with the underage drinking
alliances across New Mexico to propose new legislation that will affect
minors. The proposed legislation highlights five new laws:

- - A ban on caffeinated alcohol energy drinks

- - Prohibiting alcohol consumption by minors

- - Regulate alcohol advertising to minors

- - Expand the county's option for taxing alcohol

- - Taxing "alcopops," malt liquor beverages, at an appropriate tax rate The
first law in the proposed 2009 underage drinking legislation asks for a ban
on caffeinated alcohol energy drinks.

Research obtained by the Attorney General's Office showed that college
students who consume caffeinated alcohol energy drinks mixed with alcohol
engage in more dangerous and violent activity.

A recent press release from King's office, stated that MillerCoors had
agreed to discontinue producing the pre-mixed alcohol energy drink
"Spykes." Information in the AG's press release implied that prior to this
action, MillerCoors had been heavily marketing this drink to young consumers.

The second proposal calls for prohibiting alcohol consumption by minors.

The Attorney General's Office is currently using a model called, Purchase
Intoxication Possession, as part of a first offender program for minors.

Under current laws, police officers cannot arrest minors for possession of
alcohol if they don't drink and drive. It is illegal to sell alcohol to
minors, however, it isn't illegal for minors to consume alcohol. The
proposed prohibition of alcohol to minors' law would make it illegal for
minors to consume alcoholic beverages.

"It would set up the mechanism to get kids into early intervention courses.
Kids will learn about the consequences of drinking alcohol," said Glenn
Wieringa, New Mexico Department of Transportation's underage drinking
prevention coordinator. "The intent (of the law) is to intervene early and
get help for the kids who drink."

The third measure calls for regulating alcohol advertising to minors.

According to the New Mexico Prevention Network, minors who are constantly
bombarded with advertisements from alcohol distributors are more likely to
drink alcohol.

The Attorney General's Office hopes that regulating and even banning
alcohol advertisements around schools will reduce alcohol consumption by
minors.

The fourth proposed law calls for expanding county options for taxing
alcohol. New Mexico has not had an increase in alcohol sales taxes in
several years. Under the proposed law alcohol sales can be taxed up to 5
percent. The revenue generated would fund alcohol and drug prevention and
treatment programs throughout the state.

The fifth and final measure the group is hoping to push through calls for
taxing "alcopops" at an appropriate rate.

"Alcopops" are beverages in which the malt liquor has been taken out during
the distilling process. The Attorney General's Office cites examples of
"alcopops" such as Smirnoff Ice and Mike's Hard Lemonade. Spirits are added
at the end of the distillation process. This process decreases taxes on the
beverages.

"Taxing these beverages at the rate of distilled spirits will have a direct
relation to young consumers because it will raise the price by as much as
15 percent," said Phil Sisneros, director of communication for the Attorney
General's Office. "Studies show that the increased price should decrease
sales (to younger consumers) by as much as 35 percent."