Prevention and Public Health Input�Covid19 Allowances

Sara Cooley Broschart | EMT | December 9, 2020

High amount of concern regarding relaxed regulations

Economic Crisis

Alcohol Use

Frequency, Quantity, Quality

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Alcohol Problems

Stress

Anxiety

Anger

Depression

Income

Jobs

Review of 35 studies by:

de Goeij MC, Suhrcke M, Toffolutti V, van de Mheen D, Schoenmakers TM, Kunst AE. How economic crises affect alcohol consumption and alcohol-related health problems: a realist systematic review. Soc Sci Med. 2015;131:131‐146.

Dr. Bia Carlini

June 2020

Bottom line

• Short-term consequences:
• Increase in violence
• Increase in domestic violence
• Increase in child abuse

• Long-term consequences:
• Increase in alcohol abuse
• Increase in alcohol dependence
• The greater the exposure, the greater the likelihood of alcohol-related consequences

Dr. David Jernigan

June 2020

• King County Youth Marijuana Prevention & Education Policy Committee
• WA Association for Substance Abuse & Violence (WASAVP)
• Olympic Region Youth Marijuana Prevention & Education Policy Committee
• Okanagan County Community Coalition
• WA Healthy Youth (WHY) Coalition
• Community Prevention & Wellness Imitative coalitions
• Mary Segawa
• LCB-Prevention Roundtable in June
• Prevention Voices

Concerns noted

Increased access for youth:  Alcohol delivery, especially without regular compliance checks, increases access to alcohol by minors.

COVID-related increase in use:  Alcohol use during the first month of the pandemic (March 2020) increased 14 percent overall from March 2019, with higher rates for certain population groups, including 17 percent for women and 19 percent for those ages 30-59. This was the first month, and now we are into the tenth month. According to information presented to the House committee on Monday, sales rates continue to show an increase in Washington state. Cannabis sales are also up. Consider the long-term impact of an increase in use by individuals.

Availability and increased costs:  Greater alcohol availability is linked to higher rates of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and hospital use, resulting in considerable private and public costs. The Centers for Disease Control estimates the cost of excessive drinking at $807 per person and $2.05 per drink, most of which is not covered by alcohol taxes. Governments and taxpayers will have to shoulder much of the burden of these costs.

Lack of time to study full impact:  The true impact of loosening of regulations for alcohol and cannabis cannot be assessed by merely looking at easily identified “problems,” i.e. current arrests, DUI’s, complaints, etc. Long-term impacts such as addiction, lost productivity, long-term health issues, etc., will not be seen until later. However, research tells us to expect these impacts when access and availability increase.

Impact on youth environment: The impact on social norms will affect the attitudes and behaviors of youth and thus their long term use patterns.

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Briefly, here are some points for your consideration:

• Increased access for youth:  Alcohol delivery, especially without regular compliance checks, increases access to alcohol by minors. (“Upswing in Alcohol Deliveries Brings Increase in Violations,” winebusiness.com.) While problems were addressed in California and Texas, greater enforcement resources are needed to ensure that regulations are followed and IDs are consistently checked, regardless of whether delivery is by third-party or by licensees. Compliance checking for home delivery is much more complicated than on-premises checks. We know consistent enforcement is needed to keep non-compliance rates low. Issues also exist with curbside pick-up when enforcement is lacking. Consistent enforcement will require an increase in resources. In addition, increased alcohol availability in the home also increases access for youth.
• COVID-related increase in use:  Alcohol use during the first month of the pandemic (March 2020) increased 14 percent overall from March 2019, with higher rates for certain population groups, including 17 percent for women and 19 percent for those ages 30-59. This was the first month, and now we are into the tenth month. According to information presented to the House committee on Monday, sales rates continue to show an increase in Washington state. Cannabis sales are also up. Consider the long-term impact of an increase in use by individuals.
• Availability and increased costs:  Greater alcohol availability is linked to higher rates of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and hospital use, resulting in considerable private and public costs. The Centers for Disease Control estimates the cost of excessive drinking at $807 per person and $2.05 per drink, most of which is not covered by alcohol taxes. Governments and taxpayers will have to shoulder much of the burden of these costs.
• Lack of time to study full impact:  The true impact of loosening of regulations for alcohol and cannabis cannot be assessed by merely looking at easily identified “problems,” i.e. current arrests, DUI’s, complaints, etc. Long-term impacts such as addiction, lost productivity, long-term health issues, etc., will not be seen until later. However, research tells us to expect these impacts when access and availability increase.
• Impact on youth environment: The impact on social norms will affect the attitudes and behaviors of youth. What do we want our youth to learn from this pandemic?
• Business needs and the overall environment will change:  The loosening of regulations has been done to help struggling businesses. That is understandable. But the current environment is much different than the environment one year ago, and it will be much different after the pandemic passes. Making these rules permanent assumes the same needs will exist over time, and that is fraught with problems. (Please note that this refers to “needs,” not “wants.” When regulating substances such as alcohol and cannabis, this is an important distinction.)
• The American Public Health Association has weighed in:  “The APHA denounces widespread loosening of alcohol regulations, calls for policy changes.” As we have learned from this pandemic, we need to listen to the science. Research is clear about the impact of increasing access and availability of alcohol, and although the research is less extensive on cannabis due to the newness of the industry, these lessons likely can be applied to cannabis.

In summary, the science on best practices for alcohol regulatory practices is clear and can also be applied to cannabis policies. Policies that increase access should not be made permanent. Any consideration to do so must include a consideration of related research as well as appropriate and thorough studies on the impact of the current loosening of restrictions in this pandemic-affected environment.

Sara.Broschart@lcb.wa.gov