In New Mexico, 2021
Things need to change
New Mexico is currently #1 per capita in alcohol related deaths. In 2021, 2,274 New Mexicans died, more than double the national average. Let’s work together to be the change.
Our mission is to introduce and support responsible legislation that will raise the alcohol excise tax and create programs that promote recovery, prevention, treatment services, victim support, domestic violence, drug courts, tribal governments, and more.
About Us
The Alcohol Harms Alleviation Coalition is a group of activists and leaders from across the country focused on introducing legislation in the State of New Mexico to reduce the harms that alcohol has on our citizens. In the 2023 Legislative Session, the coalition worked with legislators from across the State to pass legislation that would have saved thousands of lives by raising the alcohol excise tax and creating an Alcohol Harms Alleviation Fund. While that legislation did not succeed, the coalition continues to work on interim committees and in their communities to bring attention to the fixable problems that New Mexico is facing.
Representative Joanne J. Ferrary
“Raising the alcohol excise tax is proven to be the most effective evidence-based strategy for reducing alcohol consumption and improved health and safety of all New Mexicans. These taxes haven’t been raised for 30 years and are significantly lower due to inflation. Alcohol harms intersect with many issues we are trying to overcome in New Mexico and alcohol-related deaths, being ranked #1 in the nation, is a good start. It will also help reduce binge and underage drinking, motor vehicle crashes, rates of crime, violence and sexually transmitted infections. Please join us to change this one very important public health strategy!”
Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
“I am passionate about moving the needle on social problems in our communities. Depressing alcohol consumption by raising the excise tax is one way to do it. And, the funds raised can be deployed for prevention, treatment and recovery and the other ills posed by alcohol misuse.”
Jennie Wei, MD, MPH Addiction Medicine, Internal Medicine, Gallup Alcohol Taskforce
“There is no way to exaggerate the extent of alcohol-related harms in our emergency departments, Intensive care units, and clinics. We are facing a public health emergency, one we’ve been fighting for decades and only getting worse. I never get used to seeing patients dying from preventable illnesses. Yes, alcohol-related harms are preventable illnesses, but only if sound evidence-based public health practices are enacted. We need to shift this alcohol epidemic from disaster mitigation to prevention. Our communities need us to be stronger.”
Shelley Mann-Lev, MPH Public Health Advocate
“I want to see our families and communities thriving, not dying from alcohol harms. We know that raising New Mexico’s alcohol taxes will save lives. So let’s do it—together.”
“My career has included developing interventions for substance-abusing populations; screening and treating impaired-driving offenders; evaluating how alcohol availability affects alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes; and testing new pharmaceuticals to treat alcohol and substance use disorders. Evidence indicates that increased alcohol availability increases alcohol consumption and motor vehicle crashes. I joined this group to urge the adoption of evidence-based policies in New Mexico that will reduce the death toll from alcohol misuse.”
Sandra Lapham, MD, MPH
“I endorse raising alcohol taxes to enable more New Mexicans to live lives free from the harms of excessive alcohol consumption.”
Marlene C. Lira, MPH Substance Use Researcher
“New Mexico has the highest rate of deaths due to alcohol in the country. We know how to reduce alcohol-related harm; so let’s commit to ending these tragedies!”
Alissa Keny-Guyer, MPH Former Oregon State Representative Public health advocate
“Big Alcohol produces, sells, and promotes products that cause harm and incur costs — to both government and its citizens.
Appropriately taxing alcohol at state and federal levels will help reduce related harm and provide needed funds for treatment and prevention efforts. Alcohol Justice supports state and federal increases in alcohol taxes and fees.
Please visit www.ChargeForHarm.org “
Alissa Keny-Guyer, MPH Former Oregon State Representative Public health advocate
“We have strategies that work to reduce the harm of excessive alcohol use in New Mexico, and we desperately need to deploy as many strategies as possible to reduce harms.”
Katie Witkiewitz, PhD Licensed Clinical Psychologist
The Cold Hard Facts We Are Facing.
over $2.2 Billion every year.
Drinking reductions are associated
with lower rates of
cancer
Heart Disease
Liver Disease
Mental Health Disorders
Health Disorders
Violence
CPSTF Findings for Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Following is an alphabetical list of intervention approaches reviewed by the Community Preventive Services Task Force with summaries of the CPSTF finding for each (definitions of findings). Click a linked review title to read a summary of the evidence and access supporting materials. This table was source from:https://www.thecommunityguide.org/pages/task-force-findings-excessive-alcohol-consumption.html
Interventions to Reduce Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Intervention |
CPSTF Finding |
|---|---|
| Dram Shop Liability |  Recommended (strong evidence)
March 2010 |
| Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention (e-SBI) | Recommended (strong evidence)
August 2012 |
| Enhanced Enforcement of Laws Prohibiting Sales to Minors | Recommended (sufficient evidence)
February 2006 |
| Increasing Alcohol Taxes | Recommended (strong evidence)
June 2007 |
| Maintaining Limits on Days of Sale | Recommended (strong evidence)
June 2008 |
| Maintaining Limits on Hours of Sale | Recommended (sufficient evidence)
February 2009 |
| Overservice Law Enforcement Initiatives |  Insufficient Evidence
March 2010 |
| Privatization of Retail Alcohol Sales |  Recommended Against
April 2011 |
| Regulation of Alcohol Outlet Density | Recommended (sufficient evidence)
February 2007 |
| Responsible Beverage Service Training | Insufficient Evidence
October 2010 |