Grassroots Efforts Pursue Alcohol Policy Reform: Refocusing Upstream in New Mexico

Abstract

Organization Setting.: The New Mexico Alcohol Issues Consortium (NMAIC) originated in January 1989 as a grassroots effort to focus on the reduction of driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) in New Mexico. It was the brainchild of three state health department officials and grew to include in its membership representatives from education, medicine, law enforcement, neighborhood associations, business, and local and state government. Rationale.: New Mexico ranks at or near the top in several alcohol-related statistics, including motor vehicle fatalities, cirrhosis, and alcoholism. Furthermore, the ‘alcohol environment’ in New Mexico included the allowance for the purchase of alcoholic beverages at drive-up windows, lax enforcement of DWI laws, and even state legislators with DWI records. Theoretical bases upon which NMAIC goals and strategies were based include the public health model, the public health/dynamic systems model of alcohol and other drug use, and ‘refocusing upstream’, all of which give attention to the environment as a determinant of health status. Implementation.: While the NMAIC's activities addressed a variety of alcohol-related problems in New Mexico, the bulk of the organization's efforts for four years were directed toward increasing the excise tax on alcohol, either as a statewide measure or via county-level local option referenda. Strategies which were enacted to support this legislative activity included collaboration with other programs and organizations with similar DWI-prevention goals, and staged media events to solicit public support. Impact.: In four years, the NMAIC had established itself as a credible organization which was successful in publicly and systematically challenging existing alcohol policies in New Mexico. The NMAIC was also instrumental in empowering individuals and communities to speak and act against the alcohol problems in their own communities. Finally, during the 1993 New Mexico Legislative Session, a bill was passed which mandated a statewide excise tax increase on alcohol. For its efforts, the NMAIC has won one national level award and one state level award for its contribution to the public health of New Mexico. Discussion.: The NMAIC is now pursuing passage of the local option version of the excise tax increase bill, because it could generate up to three limes as much revenue as the new statewide increase. Additionally, Consortium members have escalated discussions regarding nonprofit status for the NMAIC, and developing a more formal mechanism for determining leadership. Members continue their participation in trainings on community organizing, media advocacy, and alcohol policy reform.