SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 68

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Leonard Tsosie

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE CORRECTIONS OVERSIGHT AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATE WAYS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT AND TREAT ALCOHOL ABUSE IN NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, alcohol abuse is one of New Mexico's most serious public health problems that manifests itself in many ways, including accidents, motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides and DWI arrests, throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the Gallup city council regularly receives alcohol-related complaints, including complaints of aggressive panhandling, public intoxication, vandalism, broken glass and accumulation of trash; and

     WHEREAS, in response to these complaints, the Gallup city council initiated a survey in which it was determined that the vast majority of Gallup residents favor special legislation that would allow the city to limit the hours that retailers may sell package liquor and restrict the sale of certain types of beer and wine that are linked to public intoxication; and

     WHEREAS, the Gallup city council would like the state to designate Gallup a "local empowerment district", allowing the city to restrict the hours that stores may sell alcohol and to restrict certain products and containers linked to public intoxication;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the interim legislative corrections oversight and justice committee be requested to investigate ways for local communities in northwest New Mexico, specifically Gallup and other communities in McKinley county, to prevent and treat alcohol abuse, including designating Gallup as a local empowerment district; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the interim legislative corrections oversight and justice committee, the interim legislative Indian affairs committee and the mayor of Gallup.

- 2 -