Positive effects of the new alcohol tax: Letter to the Editor in Brockton Enterprise

February 10, 2010:

In a Jan. 30 Enterprise article on the state alcohol tax, it was declared, "If you bought a six-pack of Sam Adams or a bottle of chardonnay at a store in the past six months, you've probably noticed this tax." But what they may not have realized are the positive effects of the alcohol tax.

Due to the revenue generated from the alcohol sales tax, access to alcohol and drug addiction treatment services has not been significantly reduced this year. This is vitally important because even when the economy was strong, the funding for alcohol and drug treatment services was severely inadequate in meeting the needs of the Commonwealth's citizenry.

Indeed, our agency, High Point Treatment Center, turns away individuals and families seeking services every day due to lack of resources to expand the number of treatment beds and counseling services. Last year alone in the City of Brockton, we admitted more than one thousand individuals for substance abuse treatment services to our community-based program. Sadly, we turned away hundreds more. Simply put, the alcohol tax ensures ongoing access to treatment services.

Often, out of desperation, due to a lack of enough community treatment beds, more families are finding themselves with no other recourse but to turn to the courts for assistance. Last year, more than 1,600 men and women were civilly committed by the courts to High Point.

According to recent Dept. of Public Health data, over 100,000 Massachusetts residents availed themselves of addiction treatment services. It is reasonable to state that for every person treated, at least 10 people who care about that individual are also affected. Ultimately, over a million people are therefore impacted.

The small alcohol sales tax (which still puts our tax rate lower than most New England states) serves an important purpose. Hopefully, through education, the consumer purchasing that six-pack of beer or bottle of chardonnay will agree that the alcohol sales tax is a small price to pay for the enormous positive effects on our state.

Daniel S. Mumbauer,
President & CEO
High Point Treatment Center
Brockton