A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO JOIN IN CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER MEASURES TO COMBAT UNDERAGE DRINKING IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, underage drinking is one of the most serious public health and social problems facing New Mexico, with over ninety-eight thousand underage users of alcohol in 2001; and

     WHEREAS, in 2001, underage drinkers consumed over one-fourth of all alcohol sold in New Mexico, totaling one hundred eighty-eight million dollars ($188,000,000) in sales, which generated ninety-two million dollars ($92,000,000) in projected profits for the liquor industry; and

     WHEREAS, underage drinking costs the citizens of New Mexico approximately six hundred seventy-one million dollars ($671,000,000) annually in medical costs, work loss, pain and suffering; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks second highest among the fifty states for the cost of underage drinking, at three thousand three hundred sixty-six dollars ($3,366) per youth; and

     WHEREAS, underage drinking results in serious or fatal traffic accidents, youth violence, property crime, high-risk sex, suicide, sexual assault and death from alcohol poisoning; and

     WHEREAS, underage drinking is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined and can result in children born with fetal alcohol syndrome;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public education department, the children, youth and families department and the department of health be requested to participate in campaigns to increase awareness of the problem of underage drinking in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments join the efforts of southern New Mexico human development, incorporated, the rural organizational project entity coalition, the environmental youth coalition and other organizations around the state to address underage drinking and develop successful prevention and intervention strategies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the public education department, the children, youth and families department and the department of health.