SB 71 DRIVERS LICENSES & DRUG & ALCOHOL PROGRAM  CHAIRMAN WILKEN introduced SB 71 as the final order of business before the committee. MARGOT KNUTH , Department of Law, said that SB 71 was the Governor's bill in response to his Conference on Youth & Justice. Ms. Knuth provided the committee with copies of the abridged version. Alcohol is one of the most significant problems in Alaska and the youth with this problem are the group most worthy of attention. There is a "use it lose it" law in place which takes a minor's drivers license when convicted of any offense related to alcohol whether a possession, consuming, or driving offense. Before the minor can have his/her drivers license back, an alcohol education program must be completed. Adults in the same situation are treated differently. An adult must first be screened in order to determine if an education program would solve the problem or if treatment is necessary and at what level. Adults also have compliance and the recommendations are monitored. SB 71 will allow DHSS to prepare and be responsible for an alcohol information course and create the Junior Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). Junior ASAP will first screen the minor in order to determine the appropriate level of education and treatment. The minor's compliance will also be monitored. SB 71 intends to create a meaningful intervention in the lives of these minors. The longer the alcohol problem is left unaddressed, the more difficult it will be to have a meaningful turn around. Ms. Knuth pointed out that SB 71 costs money. SB 71 calls for the reinstatement fees for the revocation of a drivers license to be raised from $100 to $250 in order to provide the funding for this service. Ms. Knuth acknowledged that $250 is quite a bit, but other sources of revenue could not be identified. Those targeted to pay for this is the group of offenders who have engaged in illegal behavior which resulted in the revocation of their license. SENATOR WARD inquired as to the percentage of the driving test that is related to the laws regarding alcohol and driving. MARGOT KNUTH could not provide that information. Number 453 JUANITA HENSLEY , Chief of Drivers Services, explained that all drivers license tests are required to have a section regarding drug and alcohol and driving. There are several questions of the 20 on the test regarding drunk driving, the penalties and such. Ms. Hensley did not have the exact percentage. In response to Senator Ward, Ms. Hensley offered to bring copies of the tests as well as the drivers manual. The manual contains a chapter regarding alcohol, the law, etc. The drivers manual is also on the internet. SENATOR WARD believed that an educational possibility, highlighting the extreme consequences through the test, had been missed. Senator Ward commented that conditional licenses could be issued to minors with drug and alcohol. JUANITA HENSLEY informed the committee that the Driver Improvement Section has tried to talk to minors in the schools regarding the "use it lose it" law and the penalties. Ms. Hensley pointed out that the Office of Highway Safety Planning developed a brochure discussing the penalties that is available to minors. SENATOR WARD stated that it is a privilege to receive a license. Senator Ward expressed the need to ensure that minors understand the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol even if extra burdens must be placed on the minor. Senator Ward said that it would not cost a great deal more. The educational component may be lacking. Number 395 CHAIRMAN WILKEN acknowledged the presence of some young people in the audience. The following students were present: Audrey Caulum, Jeff Lund, Dennis Plantz, and Jessica Gardner. Chairman Wilken asked if the youths were aware of the "use it lose it" law and if so, how had the youth been introduced to this law. The youths had learned of the law through the school, the local teen center and talks from the local police. SENATOR WARD asked the youths if any were introduced to the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol through the licensing procedures. The youths had read the chapter in the drivers manual and felt the information was adequate, but more information could be present. SENATOR LEMAN asked if the information was effective and would it change behavior. The youths believed that some would ignore the information and drive without a license. Senator Leman noted that a constituent had indicated that the "use it lose it" law may be too tough; is the law appropriate? The youths believed the law to be appropriate, but indicated that the law was not being enforced. SENATOR GREEN discussed a minor constituent in which she thought she had made arrangements to attend the ASAP, although the letter of transmittal states that there is no program for minors similar to the ASAP. JUANITA HENSLEY explained that the minor was referre through one of the licensed alcohol rehabilitation programs for screening and evaluation. Based on that information, the minor would be referred to the appropriate program. Currently there are no programs designed for minors which has necessitated this bill. Ms. Hensley informed the committee that she had estimated that there would be 3,500 revocations a year under the "use it lose it" law. In 1996, almost 4,000 revocations occurred. SENATOR GREEN thought a side-by-side comparison regarding what is currently offered and what would be offered under SB 71 would be helpful. Senator Green was interested in the program that the minors in Mat-Su were attending. Number 314 LOREN JONES , Director of the Division of Alcohol & Drug Abuse for DHSS, said that in most areas there are adult ASAP programs which are not age appropriate for those under the age of 18. All the alcohol information schools are approved through the DMV and the course includes at least four hours of drivers education as part of the eight hour course. Mr. Jones noted that most of the adult programs attempt to address the needs of minors which does not afford the best opportunity for the minors. In Mat-Su there is age appropriate intervention and treatment for minors through the alternative school, the Mat-Su Council, etc. SB 71 would transfer to the division the approval authority for alcohol information schools in order to create an age appropriate curriculum and then fund local efforts to do assessments and initial screening. The Community Action Against Substance Abuse Program which was passed six years ago of which Senator Ellis was the sponsor is an appropriate mechanism to generate local resources and establish standards, quality, and outcomes for the program. Mr. Jones informed the committee that the youth present were a group reviewing the issues surrounding alcohol and youth access. When Mr. Jones met with the youth, they all knew about the "use it lose it" law, but had concerns. The youth felt that a minor would lose his/her license, but no further action or education was taken. Number 253 VALERIE THE RRIEN , Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Advisory Board on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, supported SB 71 in the respect that those minors consuming and other alcohol related offenses be referred to treatment before the point of revoking the minor's license. SB 71 is the funding mechanism for JR. ASAP. Ms. Therrien discussed testimony heard from the participants in the Youth Congress which indicated the easy access minors have to drugs and alcohol. The Youth Congress participants cited tobacco as the biggest problem for some communities. In many communities the parents cover up for their children. Ms. Therrien noted the enormous availability of drugs in Fairbanks and said that elementary children were drinking in the sixth grade. These elementary children need to be addressed before the point at which their license is revoked. Ms. Therrien noted that someone at the Youth Congress said that some minors in Ketchikan are arrested for minors consuming alcohol every day and are not referred. The Youth Congress wants the first time a minor is caught to be the last time. The fines are too lenient. The Youth Congress wants stricter laws that are enforced. Ms. Therrien suggested placing more rookies on the beats to enforce the laws. Further the enforcement of the laws should occur, even at the citizen level. Ms. Therrien supported SB 71. Prevention is the key. Number 150 DON DAPCEVICH , Executive Director of the Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, informed the committee that of the 4,000 minors consuming incidents last year, 400 assessments and referrals to treatment were made. Those 400 were predominately in Juneau and Mat-Su. Mr. Dapcevich, a former program director in Juneau, recalled the numerous recurrence of minor consuming incidents which did not result in referral until a later age when the addiction is worse. Juneau established a JR. ASAP which allowed intervention at an early age. Mr. Dapcevich encouraged the committee to seriously consider SB 71 due to its ability to offer major change in the delivery of drug and alcohol services in Alaska. CESAR DIMATTEO , Executive Director of the Alaska Council on Prevention of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, informed the committee that he was on the Youth & Justice Conference for the Governor, Executive Committee for Prevention, and the Drug & Alcohol Directors Association. Mr. DiMatteo supported SB 71. Mr. DiMatteo agreed with Senator Ward's comments regarding early intervention to avoid later problems. This discussion is about the different stages of this problem. First, information is given which Mr. DiMatteo acknowledged does not necessarily change behavior. SB 71 offers the next stage of more education. Mr. DiMatteo agreed with Ms. Therrien that more prevention regarding the consequences is necessary. Even still, youth fall between through the system. Under ASAP, the individual's problem is assessed and then referred to the appropriate intervention or treatment. Then the individual can have a life and stop the cycle. Currently, an assessment is done, but there is no follow-up or place to refer the minor. SENATOR WARD inquired as to the amount of time spent on honoring sobriety in society during the Youth Congress. CESAR DIMATTEO noted that SB 71 was one of the over 100 recommendations during the Youth & Justice Conference. Further, the Prevention Group attempted to recommend a marketing plan submitting the positive aspects of youth to newspapers. Mr. DiMatteo stressed the need for a constituency for the youth recovering. Mr. DiMatteo informed the committee that he was a recovering person. TAPE 97-19, SIDE A SENATOR WARD stressed that this includes everyone from youth to seniors. Senator Ward said that when a solution is highlighted and the people are treated with honor, it grows as is the case in Anchorage in segments of Mountain View. Senator Ward did not know if such could even be legislated. VALERIE THERRIEN noted that students were being honored through the Youth Congress which she felt should be done through every community. CESAR DIMATTEO informed the committee that there are prevention and intervention models such as Risk & Resiliency - Protective Factors and Asset Building. The Search Institute developed Asset Building which determined that if a minor has 25-40 assets, that minor has a minimal ability of participating in drugs and alcohol. Mr. DiMatteo emphasized that there are options which are not being used. VALERIE THERRIEN , a recovering person, noted that many of the minors present for the Youth Congress are either peer helpers or natural helpers who are trained to intervene with other minors. Ms. Therrien reiterated that prevention and education work. Number 075 CHAIRMAN WILKEN requested that the public defenders fiscal note needed to be developed further. Chairman Wilken referred to paragraph nine of the DHSS fiscal note when requesting that DHSS specify what the $500,000 would accomplish with examples. Further, the numbers on the fiscal note from the Department of Public Safety is remarkable. Chairman Wilken directed the committee to paragraph four of the DHSS fiscal note which says that the numbers of second and third time offenders is about equal to the numbers of first time offenders which indicates that something is broken. Chairman Wilken announced that SB 71 would be held. REX CARVER , Chaperon of the Youth Congress, introduced the other chaperon Denise Weyhmiller. Mr. Carver works at the Sitka Teen Resource Center which provides alcohol information schools. Ms. Martinson coordinated the Youth Conference where youth will learn more about drug and alcohol issues and how students can impact these issues. Mr. Carver, through his work, felt that giving communities the endorsement for early intervention is crucial and beneficial. Mr. Carver believed that law enforcement could improve if avenues were in place to send minors. CHAIRMAN WILKEN thanked everyone for participating. Chairman Wilken announced that the foundation formula subcommittee would be meeting soon. There being no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.