A message for our legislators

Clean up the alcohol privatization mess and allocate funding to prevent substance abuse and support youth!

Alcohol privatization is creating more harm than expected: I-1183, the initiative that privatized the sale of hard alcohol, may have sounded simple, but the actual initiative is 60 pages long and mandates sweeping changes to liquor sales, wine sales, regulatory enforcement and advertising. I-1183 makes Washington the most deregulated state in the nation and implementing it is turning out to be quite costly.

Prevention funding has been cut: Meanwhile, since 2005, funding for substance abuse prevention was reduced by more than 70% -- community-based prevention services (Community Mobilization) by 73% and school-based prevention/intervention services (Student Assistance Program) by78%! 

Stop the harm BEFORE more is created! To restore both programs to 2005 levels of funding, $15Million per year is needed. Funding for substance abuse prevention is necessary BEFORE alcohol and other drugs become more accessible to our children and youth…

• BEFORE more bills are passed that normalize the use of alcohol in everyday life;

• BEFORE alcohol is fully privatized;

• BEFORE marijuana is legalized.

This can be done! An I-1183 clean up bill should:

• Designate alcohol revenue for a balanced approach to prevention, treatment, and enforcement by the Liquor Control Board.

• Add a standard sales tax on top of liquor taxes to generate revenue for cities.

• Establish a statewide cap on alcohol outlet density, as numerous studies across the nation have shown that an increase in outlet density – how many stores are in a certain area -- can lead to increased alcohol-related public health problems.

• Raise licensing fees by 30%, generating $6M for Community Mobilization and prevention and intervention services in schools. A 30% increase would result in a typical grocery store paying $195 per year.

• Increase the long-stagnant beer tax rate.

Enough is enough! It’s time to stop the erosion of a system that protects our children and youth and provides communities and schools the resources they need!

Liquor Control Board seeks comments on responsible vendor program

From the Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking: 

Last fall Washington voters passed Initiative 1183. Among other things, it privatizes Washington’s hard liquor distribution and sales system. Currently the WA State Liquor Control Board is developing new guidelines and procedures which will help govern implementation of I-1183. Here are responses to key questions.

Will we have more outlets selling spirits (hard liquor)?
It’s very likely there will be a significant increase in stores selling hard liquor. Your local Walmart, Safeway, or any other large outlet (over 10,000 sq. ft.) can apply for a retail spirits license. If there are no stores that large in your area, smaller stores may apply for a license to sell hard liquor.

Will it be easier for young people to get alcohol in stores?
Currently there is no requirement about training clerks to check ID. More than 95% of Washington’s state liquor stores passed liquor sales compliance checks. The rate in non-state stores was less than 80%.

Will there be more Liquor Control Officers enforcing liquor laws?
No, the Initiative does not require the addition of enforcement officers to deal with the increased number of sales outlets. Your local city or county will receive additional funds for public safety but they are not required to use those funds for enforcement of liquor laws and regulations.

Will the hours for selling alcohol be increased?
We don’t know. The Initiative requires the Liquor Control Board to develop a Responsible Vendor Program. That program can include standardized sale hours and require training of all employees. The LCB is soliciting comment now.

How can I provide my input to the Liquor Control Board about the Responsible Vendor Program?
The Liquor Control is taking comment on the new rules now. To comment, send an email with your recommendations about training criteria, standardized store hours, location of spirits products, and other concerns to rules@liq.wa.gov. Make sure to type Responsible Vendor Program in the subject line of your email.

Medicine retun bill awaiting full Senate vote

Senate Bill 5234 update: Yesterday, Senator Kline "pulled" the secure medicine take-back bill from the "white sheet" out to the Senate floor. A voice vote was held and the Aye's had it, against loud Nay's.  The bill is now listed as "on 2nd reading" which means it is on the Senate floor awaiting a vote.  It is not clear when a floor vote may occur.

As expected, pharmaceutical companies are lobbying hard against it.  State senators need to hear from local advocates for a statewide medicine return program now! 

UPDATE: Alcohol promotion bills

Unfortunately, no less than five alcohol promotion measures have advanced to the Senate Rules Committee:

• SB 6076 (Creating a senior center license);

• SSB 6060 (Allowing day spas to offer or supply without charge wine or beer by the individual glass to a customer for consumption on the premises);

• SB 5650 (Allowing craft distilleries to sell their own spirits at qualifying farmers markets);

• SB 6475 (Changing the criteria for the beer and wine tasting endorsement for grocery stores); and

• SB 6477 (Concerning spirits sampling in former contract liquor stores).

Since WASAVP is the only organization speaking out against these bills, a lot of grassroots activity is needed to stop these.  Please begin by asking anyone you have on Senate Rules to help keep these measures off the floor!

Normally, only one bill should be addressed per email, letter or call to a given legislator. But in this instance that would multiply the communications 5-fold and one point to be stressed is the cumulative effect of such legislation (rather than just taking each proposal in isolation from the others). Advocates are encouraged to contest all five at once.

One argument against these bills is that while the literal law enforcement message is “don’t drink and drive” these bills send a dangerous mixed messages to kids (especially) and even adults that drinking “a little bit” and driving is okay.  Also, people in recovery should be able to visit day spas, grocery stores and farmers markets without being offered a drink. Legislators could be asked, rhetorically, where -- if ever -- the line is going to be drawn on permitting alcohol sales and promotion in atypical locations!

Three bills further normalize casual alcohol use in public places

The Washington State Senate's Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee will be voting on the following three bills tomorrow morning.

1) SB 5650 - Allowing craft distilleries to sell their own spirits at qualifying farmers markets. 

2) SB 6475 - Changing the criteria for the beer and wine tasting endorsement for grocery stores. 

3) SB 6477 - Concerning spirits sampling in former contract liquor stores. 

All three of these bills further deregulate alcohol by increasing the number of places where it can be sold or sampled. Not to mention that I-1183 establishes that spirits should only be sold in stores that are 10,000 square feet or larger -- how large are farmers markets? 

This legislation is part of a growing trend of bills that normalize the casual use of alcohol in places such as grocery stores and farmers markets -- places frequented by children.

Considering that most people drive to grocery stores and farmers markets, such bills also dilute the directive "don't drink and drive" to "it is okay to drink a little and drive".