DRUG-USE DATA UNDERSCORES NEED FOR CHANGES IN MONTANA

The 2005 Legislature is on the brink of strengthening laws for safer, sober
driving in Montana.

These important safety measures include SB104, a teen driver bill sponsored
by Sen. Kim Gillan of Billings, and SB80, an open container ban sponsored
by Sen. Garry Perry of Manhattan. Both of those measures should soon be
signed into law by Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Rep. Michael Lange of Billings and traffic safety advocates were still
working on passing HB98 and HB99 to curb repeat DUI offenders who refuse
legally required alcohol breath tests and continue to drive while their
license is suspended. These bills had stalled in the House.

Montana is tragically overdue for these policy changes. Alcohol and other
drug use research shows alarming levels of abuse in this state. Montana's
DUI toll is the worst in the nation. And although, Montana grants full
driving privileges to 15-year-olds, it will be the last state to put safety
restrictions on novice, minor drivers.

There is a connection between graduated drivers licenses and underage
alcohol abuse. It's about creating (or failing to create) an attitude that
underage drinking is risky. The 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
found that drivers ages 15 to 17 in states with the most restrictive
graduated driver licensing had lower rates of heavy drinking than teens in
states with the least-restrictive driving laws, such as Montana. The teen
drivers who had the most restrictions on their driving privileges (such as
not being allowed to drive late at night) also were less likely to be
driving under the influence.

The latest NSDUH report, released a week ago, indicates that alcohol and
drug use are a bigger problem in Montana than in most other states. This
annual survey of residents in all 50 states is based on information from
the 2002 and 2003 surveys.

Montana ranked as the worst state for binge drinking among youth ages 12 to
17 and No. 2 in the nation for the percentage of minors who had used
alcohol within the month before the survey. Binge drinking is defined as
consuming five or more alcoholic drinks within two hours.

The drug survey data argues for a comprehensive approach. There's work to
be done on prevention - the most cost-effective approach - and on
treatment, which is less expensive than incarceration for drunken drivers
and others whose offenses are related to alcohol and other drug abuse. The
2005 traffic safety legislation is part of the solution: Holding Montanans
of all ages accountable for sober, responsible driving.

To learn more

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health annual report can be viewed at
www.oas.samhsa.gov.

Survey findings include:

Montana ranked as one of the six worst states for illicit drug use.

Montana ranked second in the nation for the highest rate of marijuana and
other illicit drug use by youth (age 12 to 17).

The highest incidence of drug abuse among Montanans was in the 18 to 25 age
group.

7.19 percent of Americans surveyed said they needed but didn't receive
alcoholism treatment in the previous year.

Montana had a higher than average percent of citizens of all ages not
getting needed alcoholism treatment. In the age 12-17 group, 10.37 percent
said they didn't get needed treatment while 22.25 percent of the 18-25 age
group said they didn't receive treatment.

In Montana, the greatest lack of treatment for illicit drug addictions was
among younger residents: 6.42 percent of youth, 8 percent of young adults
and 1.5 percent of those over 25 didn't receive needed treatment.