02/06/1998 09:00 AM Senate HES

                                                                               
               SCR 21 - SOBRIETY AWARENESS MONTH                               
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD, sponsor of SCR 21, explained the measure designates              
the month of March as sobriety awareness month.  The resolution is             
meant to encourage sobriety as a solution and to honor it as a way             
of life.  SCR 21 brings attention to those who choose sobriety as              
a lifestyle, rather than to the diseases of alcoholism and drug                
abuse.  The Alaska Federation of Natives passed a resolution                   
supporting SCR 21 at its meeting the previous evening.                         
                                                                               
MR. DON DAPCEVICH, Executive Director of the Alaska Advisory Board             
on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, testified in support of SCR 21.  He              
thanked Senator Ward for introducing this measure, and pointed out             
so much time is spent concentrating on the negative consequences of            
substance abuse and alcoholism in Alaska, that very little time has            
been focussed on people who choose to live their lives free from               
those negative consequences.  SCR 21 provides the opportunity to               
celebrate people who choose to live healthy, productive lives.  He             
thought SCR 21 might encourage people who have never used or had               
alcohol or substance abuse problems to step forward and talk about             
that choice, especially with youth.                                            
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD thanked Mr. Dapcevich for his work in this field, and             
added sobriety is not something to be honored only during the month            
of March.                                                                      
                                                                               
SENATOR WARD moved SCR 21 out of committee with individual                     
recommendations.  There being no discussion or objection, the                  
motion carried.