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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

McSorley

 

DATE TYPED:

1/29/03

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Alcohol Nutrition Study

 

SB

SJM 10

 

 

ANALYST:

Wilson

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

See Narrative  

 

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

State Department of Education (SDE)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

Senate Joint Memorial 10 requests the Department of Health study and evaluate the effectiveness and advantages of using nutrition as a component for the treatment of alcoholism in standard treatment protocols. SJM 10 also requests the DOH consult with nutrition experts to develop a curriculum for treatment administrators and providers, a workbook for treatment participants, and pre- and post-assessment tools to be used to measure the effectiveness of the treatment. DOH must report its findings to the legislative Health and Human Services Committee at its September 2003 meeting.

 

     Significant Issues

 

·        Many New Mexico residents have alcohol and drug problems that require costly

                        intervention and treatment.

·        Alcohol abuse is a substance abuse that leads to DWI accidents and injury and deaths.

·        New Mexico ranks in the top five worst in the nation for alcohol-related crashes, and has the fourth-highest rate in the nation of alcohol-related fatalities.

·        On average, about 190 people die and over 3000 are seriously injured each year in alcohol-related crashes.

·        These crashes cost New Mexico citizens approximately $1 billion annually.

·        Alcohol addiction is a public health concern to the citizens of New Mexico.

·        Dietary changes that could lead to a reduction in alcohol substance abuse may positively impact the health and economy of New Mexico.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

DOH notes that developing a teaching curriculum and workbooks is a demanding and specialized task that requires funding, over and above the costs of administering treatment programs. A scientifically adequate study to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition management also requires substantial funding. There is no appropriation in SJM 10.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

DOH states that to meet the requirements of SJM 10 in the time mandated would require reallocation of staff from current activities.

 

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The HPC writes that there is no conclusive evidence linking diet with alcoholism. In medical literature sugar has emerged as a substance that is consumed for many of the properties it shares with alcohol. The role of sugar consumption as a predictor of human alcohol intake was presented in the American Journal of Psychiatry in Feb.1997.

 

Discussion of the role of diet in the treatment of alcoholism has primarily focused on the development of diets to enhance nutrient intake and balance blood sugar levels by minimizing the intake of carbohydrates. Other data have suggested the value of increasing sugar intake as a way of maintaining sobriety.

 

DW/njw