California Alcohol Problems Drain $38 Billion Annually

More than 9,000 lives lost each year, many more suffering while Big Alcohol
avoids responsibility and taxes

LOS ANGELES, July 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marin Institute, the
alcohol industry watchdog, held a news conference and town hall meeting in Los
Angeles today to release the disturbing findings of its landmark report, The
Annual Catastrophe of Alcohol in California. Such a comprehensive study has
never been done in California.
Before a large gathering of public health experts, policymakers, and
community activists, digital clocks ticked away in real time the incredible
economic costs ($1,200 per second or $38.4 billion annually), incidents of
harm (100 per hour or 921,928 annually) and deaths (1 per hour or 9,439
annually).
Marin's study calculates that moderate-to-high alcohol consumption in
California is costing roughly $1,000 per resident. By comparison, tobacco
costs California approximately $550 per resident. The study also estimates
$25.3 billion in lost productivity and reduced earnings.
"What makes these study results both so complex and so tragic is how
alcohol-related harm takes so many forms and affects so many lives," said
Michele Simon, Marin Institute research and policy director. Simon co-authored
the report with Ted Miller of the Pacific Institute for Research and
Evaluation and Simon Rosen, Marin Institute research analyst.
Marin Institute compared the economic losses to those from natural
disasters and concluded that alcohol costs far outpace earthquakes and fires.
Unlike earthquakes, fires, floods and mudslides, which come along
infrequently, the catastrophe of alcohol in California happens annually, with
devastating effects, and can be prevented." Rosen noted.
The study also estimates an additional $48.8 billion in quality of life
costs, due to the pain and suffering of victims and families. "These harms are
not just economic, they are also deeply personal. Quantifying the pain and
suffering endured by numerous people from alcohol harm may be the most
compelling result of this study," Rosen added.
Librarian and community activist, Manya Anderson, a life-long resident of
South Los Angeles, continues to witness firsthand the devastation of alcohol
in her own family as well as in the communities of South L.A. "As residents,
it is clear to us that both African American and Latino families have borne
the brunt of the alcohol industry's sale of liquor in our communities. More
liquor in our community means poor health and a lack of safety."
California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) observed that
"Whether it's consumed as a vintage wine from a prestigious appellation or a
fortified variant, a micro-brew or malt liquor, an alcopop or high-end
distilled spirit, alcohol's cost is much more than the price paid for a drink
at the corner liquor store or neighborhood bar." He added, "As a legislator,
I am looking forward to engaging my colleagues along with representatives of
the industry in a discussion of the report's findings and recommendations."
Marin Institute is calling for a number of steps to reverse the
catastrophe, including higher alcohol taxes to reduce excessive consumption
and the related harm and costs. While the harmful cost of alcohol is equal to
$2.80 per drink, current alcohol taxes come to only 8 cents per drink. "The
alcohol lobby has been very effective in minimizing their taxes and fees to
just 1.7 percent of their income from sales," noted Bruce Livingston, Marin
Institute's executive director. "It's time we hold Big Alcohol accountable by
getting them to pay their fair share."
Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., MPH, Public Health Officer and Director of the
County of Los Angeles Public Health Department said, "Marin Institute's report
is a much needed reminder of the harm and costs associated with alcohol
consumption in California."
The study will be published next month by the peer-reviewed journal,
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. To download study findings
visit www.marininstitute.org.
Marin Institute is based in San Rafael, CA

Contact: Michael Scippa (415) 548-0492
Jorge Castillo (213) 840-3336
Pete Ratajczak (415) 257-2481

SOURCE Marin Institute

Michael Scippa, +1-415-548-0492, Jorge Castillo, +1-213-840-3336, or Pete
Ratajczak, +1-415-257-2481