REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO STUDY THE EXTENT OF DRINKING AND DRUG USE WHILE DRIVING AMONG TEENAGERS.

WHEREAS, a 1998 on-site study demonstrated that approximately one thousand two hundred empty beer bottles and beer cans are dumped per road-mile per year in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that about fifty percent of these are tossed from vehicles driven by teenage drivers; and

WHEREAS, one thousand six hundred ninety-five teenagers died in the United States in 1998 in alcohol-related traffic accidents; and

WHEREAS, recent changes in both federal and state health surveys have added questions about teenage drinking and drug use while driving; and

WHEREAS, this state-by-state national survey has provided accurate data leading to successful compliance efforts reducing alcohol sales to minors; and

WHEREAS, this data on teenage drinking and drug use while driving has also led to strengthened open container legislation in some states; and

WHEREAS, a national survey on the impact of substance abuse on state budgets shows that New Mexico spends only two percent of an annual four hundred sixty-eight million dollars ($468,000,000) substance abuse budget on prevention and treatment;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health lead an interagency task force on teenage drinking and drug use while driving to collect pertinent information, identify gaps in public knowledge and recommend solutions to problems created by such conduct; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include in its recommendations estimates of the costs of providing such solutions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives of the department of public safety, the state highway and transportation department, the children, youth and families department, the state department of public education, local DWI agencies and organizations, concerned teenagers and citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the various state and local government agencies and organizations mentioned.