ABC Issues – The Real Question
Mar 27th, 2009 • Category: BlogWe have talked on NC SPIN and in this newsletter about problems with our state ABC system of alcoholic beverage control. The big issue at this moment concerns whether or not the state’s ABC stores should be opened to allow sales on Sunday. As might be imagined, this is once again opening up the old discussions about “Blue laws” and demon rum. Look for Sunday openings to be approved.
But there is also some quiet discussion about the need to reform our ABC system, we’re told. Unfortunately, much of that discussion deals with making the system more uniform. A growing number are saying we need to abolish our current system, a good way to reduce the number of state employees, while privatization of alcohol sales could also increase revenues to the state. Wonder why this notion doesn’t seem to be finding champions?
Response:
It might be helpful to check your assumptions in reference to the actual increase in revenue versus cost to the states that have privatized systems. The result of privatization is generally an increase in the hours of operation that results in increasing consumption. Increasing consumption results in increased costs to a state’s health, social service, and legal systems.
The better question to be asked is why is it all right to use taxes from alcohol for general revenue while systematically underfunding addiction prevention, treatment and recovery for alcoholics who suffer from a chronic disease. The amount of money that is allocated from the existing tax and revenues from the ABC stores cover only a small portion of the States contribution to services (and are a very small percentage of the tax revenue collected), which are only a small portion of the actual cost of services. Taxing consumption while not funding the treatment for the resulting disease is a best short sighted.
Anne Doolen
Executive Director
Alcohol/Drug Council of North Carolina
