Hartselle should reject alcohol like Boaz did

Dear Editor,

I understand the people of Cullman County and Hartselle are getting up a petition to vote whether to legalize the sale of the addictive drug alcohol. Yes, it is a very addictive drug.

The main reason given to legalize alcohol is always the same. Additional tax revenue will be received. However, the increased availability and sales of alcohol will only add to the current liquor problems of Hartselle and Cullman County. For example, in 2009, Cullman County had only 158 DUI’s that made it to court. In 2009 there were 517 DUI arrests that made it to court in Marshall County.

Another big problem is the increase in children and teenagers drinking of alcohol. Many will become addicted. 39.5 percent of Alabama youth in grades 9-12 drink alcohol, which is greater than the national average. Forty-three percent of kids age 13-14 start drinking below age 14. And many will likely become addicted. However, if they don’t start drinking alcohol, they will never become addicted. Teenagers who start drinking before age 15 are six times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

The Bible says that no drunkard shall enter heaven. So the question is, who makes the drunkard? Think about it. Could it be that those who vote to legalize alcohol contribute greatly to someone becoming a drunkard?

It is a fact that if both Hartselle and Cullman County goes wet, there will be an increase in direct adverse consequences such as DUI deaths and injuries. In addition, there will be an increase in crime, police officers, jails, emergency crews and a need for more addition facilities.

I believe that any reasonable person should conclude that the drug alcohol costs much more than the revenue it produces. ALCAP (www.alcap.com) says it costs $15 for every dollar made off alcohol. Also, ALCAP says the drug alcohol causes more damage and problems than all other illegal drugs combined.

Boaz just recently rejected the legalization of alcohol. After rejection by the citizens, the city passed a 1 percent sales tax increase. This brought in $2 million and will not cause major problems like the drug alcohol.

The Alabama Department of Health indicates that there are countless millions of individual family members and children who experience the devastating effects of the drug alcohol problems in their life.

Some parents think that if their kids are not smoking marijuana or using other hard drugs, there is no problem. Parents have a responsibility to their children to make good choices. Do you want to be responsible for your children to become addicted to alcohol?

It’s past time for the people of the State of Alabama and this nation to consider the problems that alcohol causes and reject the legalization of alcohol. Consider also that the people that don’t drink alcohol will have to help pay for alcohol problems.

Bobby Nunn, Guntersville

At a Glance

PowerGrid Services in Hartselle evacuated for bomb threat

Morgan County

20 under 40: Trey Chowning

Falkville

20 under 40: TJ Holmes

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Spencer Bell

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Shelby Keenum

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Rachel Howard

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Mary Virgina Halbrooks

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Maggie McKelvey

Decatur

20 under 40: Maegan Jones

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Lindsey Tapscott

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

‘He lets us have sex’: More details emerge on Hartselle man accused of child exploitation 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle church creates Easter-themed escape rooms 

Danville

Family tradition: State livestock show legacy spans generations

Editor's picks

Baseball for Beau: More than $8k raised for scholarship named after Hartselle child  

Falkville

20 under 40: Lela Weeks

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Kalleigh Thomas

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Jaime Hatcher

Hartselle

Veteran Hartselle firefighter charged with possessing child porn

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

At a Glance

Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

At a Glance

Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

x