News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press
Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540
For Immediate Release: February 27, 1997 Contact: Senator Jerry Ward 907/465-4940
Resolution Declares March "Sobriety Awareness Month"
Juneau -- To recognize, reinforce and appreciate the quality of life and health benefits realized from a sober lifestyle, Republican Senator Jerry Ward introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 Thursday declaring March, 1997 as Sobriety Awareness Month (SAM).
"A tremendous amount of crime and dysfunction in Alaska can be traced to alcohol and drug abuse -- this sad reality is begging for a solution," said Senator Ward. "These crimes are not just taxing our government, they tear apart Alaskan families, wound our children and make us fearful in our own neighborhoods."
"I am introducing this resolution so that Alaskans can focus on solutions -- not just the problem," Ward said. "I believe a start to finding a solution is to honor sobriety as a clean and positive lifestyle. We must encourage this lifestyle choice by honoring those who work toward living a sober life."
Senator Ward noted that if SRC 4 is passed, it will highlight and reinforce the socially appropriate behaviors and choices sobriety offers:
- Improve the quality of life and health of individuals, families and communities.
- Reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug related crimes.
- Reduce the burden on government in having to exhaust its resources and pay for the pervasive problems caused by alcohol and drug abuse.
"It seems fitting that if we can nationally name a month after a commodity (alcohol), give it free publicity and attention by focussing on all of its problems, then I believe we can also give equal time to the solution. SCR 4 will allow Alaska to lead the nation in declaring "sobriety awareness month" - for a positive, healthy and productive way of life," Ward said.
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