HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 74

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Richard D. Vigil

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE ANNUAL ECONOMIC AND HUMAN COST OF ALCOHOL USE IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, each day lives are lost in New Mexico as a direct or indirect result of alcohol consumption; and

     WHEREAS, according to the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism, alcohol abuse and its related problems cost society many billions of dollars each year; and

     WHEREAS, a recent study conducted by the Marin institute in California concluded that one person dies every hour due to alcohol use in California; and

     WHEREAS, this study also concluded that the total economic cost of alcohol abuse in California is one thousand dollars ($1,000) per resident per year, or thirty-eight billion four hundred million dollars ($38,400,000,000) annually; and

     WHEREAS, according to a study conducted by ECONorthwest, titled The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Oregon in 2006, the total direct cost attributed to alcohol abuse in Oregon was estimated at three billion two hundred forty-four million dollars ($3,244,000,000), or eight times the amount collected in tax revenues for the sale of alcohol in that year; and

     WHEREAS, the economic cost associated with alcohol use in Minnesota was estimated at four billion nine hundred million dollars ($4,900,000,000) in 2001, an amount that was nineteen times greater than the tax revenues collected from alcohol sales; and

     WHEREAS, no similar comprehensive study has been conducted in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, such a study would be beneficial for the purpose of identifying not only the economic, but the human cost of alcohol abuse in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to conduct a comprehensive study of the annual economic and human cost of alcohol use in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this initial study encompass the two-year time period of January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, establishing a baseline of data, and that follow-up studies be conducted annually thereafter; and  

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study address the direct and indirect economic costs to New Mexico of alcohol use and abuse, including at a minimum the number of lives lost due to alcohol use; the number of incidents attributable to alcohol use; crimes associated with alcohol use; property damage attributable to alcohol use; costs associated with illness or injury caused by alcohol use; pain, suffering and quality-of- life issues related to alcohol abuse; and the cost incurred by state government as a result of alcohol use or abuse in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of the study be made public and be presented to the interim legislative health and human services committee by November 1, 2009, and annually thereafter; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health.

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