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PROVO — Researchers from across the country gathered in Provo Thursday to discuss the effects alcohol regulation can have on a community. And one expert from Johns Hopkins University praised Utah for its liquor laws.
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Despite research, lawmakers differ on how to proceed with alcohol legislation
The Utah Department of Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment invited lawmakers, lobbyists, government officials and others to the one-day alcohol regulation conference. While the discussions were cordial, not all agreed on what Utah's next move should be."You all in Utah have some problems, but you're doing a heck of a job," said David Jernigan, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School for Public Health. "Share your story."
Another presenter, Steve Schmidt of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, cited the outcome of Washington state's recent decision to deregulate its alcohol industry. Once the change was made, the number of liquor outlets in the state swelled from 300 to 1,400.
States that have deregulated their alcohol industries have lost money in the long run, he added.
Utah lawmakers who attended said the conference was helpful in letting them know they are headed in what researchers believe is the right direction.
"Utah's intuitive ideas are actually backed up by scientific data," said Sen. John Valentine, R-Provo "It gave us a point of reference that what we're doing in Utah is actually working."
Contributing: Dennis Romboy
