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LETTER TO THE EDITOR That seems to be the question those in leadership are asking. This is that for which they have been elected. Our leaders are there to make decisions that will safeguard both our and our children's future. They are there to provide a system that is constantly improving the quality of life in Thomasville. One way that has been proposed recently is the legalization of alcohol sales in the city limits of Thomasville. Evidently this is seen now as a way of providing revenue. The logic goes something like this: More money means a better city, therefore whatever it takes to get more money would mean that the city will get better. Seems pretty simple, or is it? Let us examine the facts. According to a report from the Department of Justice: * About 3 million violent crimes occur each year in which victims perceive the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense. * Two-thirds of victims who suffered violence by an intimate (a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) reported that alcohol had been a factor. Among spouse victims, 3 out of 4 incidents were reported to have involved an offender who had been drinking. * An estimated 32 percent of fatal accidents involved an intoxicated driver or pedestrian (the majority are drivers, however) with a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of at least 0.10 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood. * Among the 5.3 million convicted offenders under the jurisdiction of corrections agencies in 1996, nearly 2 million, or about 36 percent, were estimated to have been drinking at the time of the offense. * Alcohol use at the time of the offense was commonly found among those convicted of public-order crimes. In the February 2003 issue of the American Psychological Association's Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology an article based on a study conducted at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) found the following: * The odds of any male-tofemale physical aggression are eight times higher on days when these men drink alcohol than on days with no alcohol consumption, with the chances of severe male-to-female physical aggression on drinking days more than 11 times higher. * On days of heavy drinking by the male partners (drinking six or more drinks in 24 hours) are more than 18 times higher and the odds of severe violence are more than 19 times higher. Now I realize that these statistics represent real people who made conscious decisions to do what they did. But we cannot deny that the availability of alcohol was a factor. How might these statistics be different if alcohol were not so readily available? The proposed ordinance for the sale of alcohol states that its purpose is "promoting the general health, safety and welfare of the city" of Thomasville. It goes on to include as its purpose to promote "desirable living conditions and sustaining stability of neighborhoods, property values and to the prevention of undesirable persons from engaging in or having any interest in alcoholic beverages." How will allowing something that carries with it such obvious negative consequences make this town a better place? How will alcohol sales decrease crime, better our schools, protect our neighborhoods, and bring us closer together as a community? I am sure that money could be made from alcohol sales in Thomasville. But the cost to our youth, our elderly, our families, our community will be far more than any dollar made by the sale of alcohol in this city. Besides, I know of no other merchandise sold in Thomasville today where the city council needed to place restrictions on what employees can wear while selling the item and the level of vile sexual behavior that employees can engage in, legally, while selling the item. Yet, because of what comes with the sale of alcohol, these restrictions are needed. To the Mayor and City Council, isn't there a better way? Can you continue to explore other alternatives to growing our city in a healthier way? Thomasville is a great city. We have a superb community. Are we perfect? Of course not, but by God's grace we can strive to build the best possible place to live and raise a family.
To the citizens who will soon vote on this issue I ask that you put all preconceived notions aside. When you look at that ballot and are faced with a choice, you have only one question to ask yourself: Will bringing alcohol sales make this town better or worse? Do the right thing and vote no to alcohol. Respectfully, Rob Jackson Student/Associate Pastor Pineview Baptist Church
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