|
|
| Action Alert
Advocacy in Action |
|
| Greetings!
Advocates for substance abuse programs have several key issues to rally around over the next few months while lawmakers are considering new legislation. This includes proposals about DUI laws, lowering the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA), reclassification of Flavored Malt Beverages (FMB's) otherwise known as "Alcopops", a beer tax increase, and of course the state budget, which includes the VT Department of Health Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program's (ADAP) budget for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services. The most important role for recovery advocates is to clearly get the message out about the importance of maintaining and enhancing the services recovering Vermonters have counted on. Personal stories of how a pregnant IV drug user has found help for herself and her family, or how prevention programs have changed the norms in a local community, or how a Student Assistance Professional in a local high school has intervened to divert more serious problems with youth at risk, are all stories worth telling.
Your voice is needed! Further cuts for the Agency of Human Services have been proposed by the Governor for the FY 2010 budget. These cuts will have an impact on individuals, communities, and families who count on your support! There will be public hearings for consumers and advocates to speak out about how these cuts will impact the services they receive from the VT Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, Department of Mental Health, Department for Children and Families (family services, child development, reach up, economic opportunity), and other related programs.
PUBLIC HEARING February 9, 2009 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
The House and Senate Appropriations committees will hold a joint public hearing on Vermont Interactive Television on Monday, February 9th from 4:30 to 7:00. This "hearing" is designed to give Vermonters throughout the state an opportunity to express viewpoints, perspectives and recommendations about the state budget for fiscal year 2010. All Vermont Interactive Television sights will be available including Bennington, Brattleboro, Castleton, Johnson, Lyndonville, Middlebury, Montpelier, Newport, Randolph Center, Rutland, Springfield, St. Albans, Waterbury, White River Junction and Williston. For further information, you can call the House Appropriations committee office at 802-828-5970. This is a particularly useful venue for citizens, parents and other interested parties who don't get to the statehouse much. If you can't attend these public hearings, please contact your legislators to share your concerns.. Click here for legislative directory
PUBLIC FORUM ON ALCOPOPS February 4, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
A public forum is scheduled for Wednesday February 4, 2009 in Room 11 at the Vermont Statehouse for concerned community members to speak out about the issue of Flavored Malt Beverages (FMB's) otherwise known as Alcopops. These beverages are being marketed to young drinkers and their packaging is very similar to energy drinks. Because they contain higher content of alcohol, advocates want these beverages properly classified as spirits so that the sale is restricted to state run liquor stores rather than convenience stores, which in turn will limit access by teens and young adult underage drinkers. Voice your opinion at this public hearing. Call Ken Libertoff at the VT Association for Mental Health for more information at 1 (802) 223-6263 or email vamh1@aol.com. (To learn more about Alcopops Click Here)
RECOVERY DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE (Room 11) March 27, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join recovery advocates from across Vermont for this 10th annual legislative awareness day. Come out to celebrate long-term recovery with hundreds of Vermonters. Highlights include recovery stories, Governor Douglas' proclamation of Recovery Day, 2009 Jack Barry Communications Award presentation and more. Hear from legislators about their concerns and support for recovery; meet with your local legislators afterwards in the cafeteria (call ahead). (Event is followed by the FOR-VT Annual Meeting at the Capitol Plaza 1-3:30 p.m.) For more information contact FOR-VT at 1 (800) 769-2798.
"RAISE THE TAX, NOT THE AX"
PUBLIC FORUM ON THE BEER TAX April 7, 2009 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
A public forum is scheduled for April 7th in Room 11 at the Vermont statehouse to educate lawmakers and the public about raising the tax on beer as a dedicated revenue source for sustaining the substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment, enforcement and recovery system. This is essentially a users fee to pre-pay for the increasing medical, legal, and societal costs of alcohol abuse. Raising the tax on beer has been proven to reduce underage drinking, a serious problem facing our state. Come out to speak with legislators about alcohol issues in observance of National Alcohol Awareness Month! Sponsored by the Vermont Drug and Alcohol Coalition. Click here to download a beer tax petition!
Join FOR-VT in the recovery advocacy movement!
Contact us to become an individual or organization member.
Toll-free 1 (800) 769-2798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
