Res. No. 906 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to support alcohol and drug addiction treatment and prevention programs with a dedicated fund that is maintained by the imposition of a one-cent tax on each bottle or can of beer sold in the State of New York. Body By Council Members López, Barron, Clarke, Comrie, Gerson, Jennings, Koppell, Quinn, Recchia, Sanders, Sears, Vann, Jackson, Brewer and Boyland Whereas, According to the New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers, Inc. (the "NYSAASAP"), the social and economic costs of alcohol and drug abuse are staggering,with recent health care statistics demonstrating that excessive alcohol consumption adversely affects society by causing lost job productivity, motor vehicle and other accidents, fetal deformities, spousal and child abuse and other crimes, enormous mental and physical health care expenditures, fires, drownings, and suicides; and Whereas, According to research conducted by the NYSAASAP, the average benefit of alcohol and drug treatment exceeds the costs by three to one, and the most effective way to reduce such social and economic costs is through treatment and prevention programs; and Whereas, The falling price of a can of beer, currently below the price of a can of soda when purchased on a mass-volume basis, is providing greater affordability to this alcoholic beverage, and thus is a significant inducement to underage drinking; and Whereas, In the City's Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2004 proposed by the Mayor, funding for alcohol and drug treatment and prevention programs, including such programs for young people, are under threat of substantial reductions; and Whereas, The City and State would benefit from the establishment of an additional tax on beer that would be allocated to a dedicated fund for the sole purpose of maintaining drug and alcohol rehabilitation and prevention services programs throughout the City and State; and Whereas, According to the NYSAASAP, charging an additional penny for each 12 ounce can or bottle of beer sold in the State would generate approximately $35 million in much needed revenue; and Whereas, Such dedicated funds could be allocated to alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs that are continuously threatened by proposed City and State budget cutbacks, and thereby address many unmet needed resources for existing services; and Whereas, Such additional resources could be targeted to programs for families and youths in communities of color with high rates of substance abuse and poverty, the recruitment and retention of a qualified workforce for such programs, and the achievement of real reduction of substance abuse by underage populations; and Whereas, Assessing a penny-a-bottle tax on alcoholic beverage sales is sound fiscal and public policy and a small investment that will repay communities in profound dividends, by enhancing the quality of life of all New Yorkers while helping to save thousands of lives; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to support alcohol and drug addiction treatment and prevention programs with a dedicated fund that is maintained by the imposition of a one-cent tax on each bottle or can of beer sold in the State of New York. LS #2556 MFB 5/28/03 |10
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