Fresh Taxes on Alcohol: Opposing Views

One week ago, coverage of a press release was published stating that new research has found that “boosting taxes on alcohol leads to lower rates of alcohol-related disease, injury, death and crime.” The headline of the news story covering the results contained words that are sore points for Dirty Tractor: “Alcohol-related problems” and “taxes.”

To be more specific, “alcoholism” is more of a touchy subject with us, but “TAXES” is a plain old four letter word.

The press release contained findings that led Bloomberg/BusinessWeek to say that doubling taxes on alcohol could result in a “35% reduction in alcohol-related deaths, an 11% reduction in traffic crash deaths, a 6% reduction in STDs, a 2% reduction in violence and a 1.4% reduction in crime.” But before we raise taxes to help society, let’s consider the source of the data: University of Florida students read 50 published papers on the subject matter and composed a study from a conglomeration of previous studies…

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for public health, which no doubt has a great cause, we cannot question the study any more than that. Rather, we question WHO would be affected the most by double the taxes on alcohol. The groups most likely to lessen their drinking from higher cost would be:

1. College Students
2. Underage Drinkers
3. Um.. that’s probably it

Furthermore, if taxes are increased substantially on alcohol, the market for bootlegging and illegal distribution could be opened back up. There must be data somewhere on the new market for low cost cigarettes after taxes on those went through the roof – now costing more than $8 per pack in some places. If it becomes more attractive for people to break out the stills again, what will THAT do? Moonshine is no good on the liver or people’s behavior- The study did not take prohibition-type schemes into consideration…

On the other end of the spectrum from the university study, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States issued their own counter press release on the SAME day. In it, they state “this research does not account for the enormous economic impact a high tax policy prescription would have on the hospitality industry and its consumers. Not only would this proposal punish responsible adult beverage alcohol consumers, it would also hurt thousands of employees and small businesses in the hospitality industry in every town in America.” Another good point.

Raising taxes on alcohol in the Unites States is not the answer to help society; the repercussions for doing such would be felt across the world. Any benefits that might be gained could be outweighed by the increased health and societal risks of unregulated spirits and loss of people's livelihoods.

You want to get the numbers the news outlet published? Take a look at the age, sex and basic demographics of the people who cause the traffic deaths, STDs and crime. Focus on educating THEM.

Raising taxes would also have close to zero effect on that other touchy subject for us: Alcoholism.

Why are some people more prone to addictive behaviors?

It's a question many of us ask who are fortunate enough to not be addicted to destructive habits.

We hear all the time about people being addicted to sex, gambling, drugs, alcohol and more, but what exactly is behind the cravings? I read a good article today, which speaks in plain english the medical and environmental reasons many can't control which contribute to addictions.

My favorite excerpt from the piece is:

"...genes alone do not cause an addiction. Researchers like to point out that, as with other ailments linked to lifestyle - heart disease, obesity, and lung cancer, for example - genes merely load the gun, while the environment pulls the trigger."

The article concludes with mention of gene screening and pharmaceutical treatment for alcoholism, future possibilities we'll be writing about soon.

The addictive behaviors post can be found here.

Losing a Friend

Knowing a little about alcohol induced liver disease and the symptoms people show as it gets worse, I've been worrying about one of my close friends.

Living a seemingly care-free, relaxed lifestyle his entire life, he's never hid the fact he likes his liquor. A few years ago a typical night would include a few drinks with dinner, a couple more at the local bar and about 6-8 more at home before bed. His personality was such that he would just brighten up a room if he had a few beers in him - laughing, joking and generally carrying on in the most lighthearted way. Doing this habitually over a few decades has begun to catch up with him though.

Last time I was at his house, after drinking two beers he was starting to slur his speech and get sleepy-eyed. If he were to have two more, I think he'd pass out on the spot. His liver just can't efficiently filter the alcohol out of his system anymore. He realizes it too, and obviously worried himself - usually when we talk now he asks a few questions about people I know who are suffering from cirrhosis - how they're doing, what their symptoms were and if there was any chance they'd ever recover.

It's sad to see my friend this way, but even after scaring himself over the fact he might not have much of his liver functioning anymore, he still continues to drink as much as he possibly can each night.

Some people may say "it's his own fault" or "he did it to himself;" while that may be true, words like that make the situation no easier to deal with. Watching someone you care about lose their health by their own hand is like watching a sandcastle get slowly and inevitably taken back by the sea. The same people that blurt out such inconsiderate things would say "maybe you shouldn't have built it so close to the waves." Well, maybe I liked it there - and maybe I liked my friend the way he was.

Veteran's War with Alcoholism & Substance Abuse

Yesterday was Veteran's Day; honoring all who served in America's military. VFWs across the nation proudly displayed the red, white and blue, schools taught of sacrifice and bravery, while a few lucky towns still got to hold a parade.

It's no secret that drinking, smoking have always been part of military culture. In present-day however, health trends about our men and women in uniform are monitored and studied before, during and after conflicts.

A detected rise in alcohol abuse among troops should be of no surprise. Fatalities are proportionately lower while all types of disabilities are higher. Of these disabilities, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is prevalent throughout the ranks of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. PTSD is a relatively new measurable in the scope of war history; it was really only identified in the latter parts of the Vietnam war, and as such, contributes to higher rates of vets seeking VA assistance in later wars as compared to pre-1975 conflicts. Hand in hand with service people diagnosed with PTSD are substance abuse problems. To this day, Vietnam vets fight the stigma of "drunk vet." Hollywood is notorious for depicting soldiers of the era as alcoholics or drug addicts - just look at the character Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump.

Into the nineties, the population of veterans and awareness of their needs had been on steady decline. That is until now...

With the US engaging enemies on two separate fronts, NOW is when the data is flowing again on PTSD and addiction issues. The major influx of combat-experienced young people back into general population has spurred new reports focused on the rising substance abuse trends these veterans are dealing with. The statistics are alarming enough that the Veterans Health Administration announced it is expanding the previously shrinking alcohol and drug abuse programs. In May of this year, the US House and Senate passed new bills demanding the administration expand all substance abuse treatment services.

What are the figures that are causing alarm? According to the Pentagon's "post deployment survey:"

-12% of active-duty personnel returning from Iraq suffer from alcohol problems

-15% of National Guard and Reserve personnel suffer from alcohol problems

-It is noted that combat veterans are 30% more likely to develop binge drinking habits than service people in non-hostile environments.

These percentages are absolutely alarming, considering the US keeps somewhere around 200,000 troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, with about 1.7 MILLION total who have been served in the region during the course of the recent wars. Furthermore, non-Pentagon estimates place the percent of veterans turning to drugs or alcohol at a higher rate of 20% of all troops seeing duty. 20% of 1.7 million equals 340,000 individuals and counting...

Another study conducted by the State of New Jersey on National Guard members returning from the Middle East found that 55% of soldiers diagnosed with PTSD experience "problem drinking." What's curious about this particular report is 41% of these soldiers received mental health treatment for their PTSD, while only 9% received substance abuse help.

Maybe the expansion of government addiction programs are aimed at closing these gaps and oversights... or maybe PTSD treatment is on the front burner, while alcoholism is pushed to the back... We hope not too far to the back though, because there are many young people returning home who have no idea the life they'll be facing if substance abuse is not properly identified and corrected. If a Veteran goes through a PTSD treatment program, but continues slipping into depression or towards coping mechanisms (such as alcohol), they no doubt need identified and given help.

VFW outposts in rural towns across America have long been known as places to reminisce and drink present-day problems away. Let us hope that one day they will be centers for remembering the good ol' days while enjoying healthy, active senior years.

Sourced articles/good reading: The New York Times "After the Battle, Fighting the Bottle at Home;" Reuters "Alcohol Abuse Rises Among US Combat Veterans"

Photo Credit: US Department of Defense

Starting to Eat Again? Time for an Apron:

When someone is a heavy drinker, they’re appetite usually diminishes. This is because their body gets accustomed to getting its calories from alcohol. Not only are the calories from alcohol filling, but they are empty; which means they have no real nutritional value. When a person’s appetite for food is replace by an appetite for adult drinks, their body is forced to process the alcohol while being malnourished.

Once the cycle of calorie replacement is stopped, a person’s appetite gradually changes to crave real food once again. The money saved from not drinking beer anymore is now spent at the grocery store (a frustrating experience with today’s food prices).

The sting of the high price of groceries should be lessened by the knowledge that the ex-drinker is getting some nutrition. And with medication (if needed), a balanced level of hydration (with water), and the right foods, that person should start to feel better than ever.

To celebrate the people we know who have got their appetites back, Dirty Tractor Apparel has released its first apron. Boldly claiming “It’s NOT sausage unless it’s made with cows or pigs,” it takes the words out of our favorite character’s mouth – ol’ Jim.

You just cannot quickly introduce an old-timer to the idea of sausage made with poultry. The look on their face when you try is priceless, and the opinions they speak are libel to cheer people up for a while.

Visit the ol’ Jim section of the Dirty Tractor store to take a closer look. Happy eating!