i_opioidsubstance_2018a_2018-08-22t09:41:55z4 Hearing Summary

Kacy Crawford, Colorado Department Public Health and Environment and Peter Rumbach, University of Colorado - The Evaluation Center, presented on alcohol abuse and binge drinking. They referred to a PowerPoint presentation throughout their discussion [Attachment F].

Mr. Rumbach discussed the definition of excessive drinking, standard drink sizes, alcohol use by high school students, and the number of deaths related to heavy drinking and binge drinking.  He also discussed injuries, violence, and risky sexual behaviors related to drinking.  Mr. Rumbach spoke about the long term risks of cancer, high blood pressure, learning and memory disorders, and mental health disorders related to drinking alcohol.

Ms. Crawford discussed effective policies to reduce excessive drinking.  She discussed limiting alcohol outlet density, strengthening liability laws, alcohol tax increases, and the economic cost of excessive drinking.  Ms. Crawford responded to questions.

Ms. Crawford told the committee that communities with stronger alcohol policies have less adult alcohol-related impaired driving, alcohol-related motor vehicle crash deaths among youth and adults, adult binge drinking, youth drinking, youth binge drinking, alcohol-related homicides and suicides, and alcoholic cirrhosis and mortality rates.  Committee discussion and questions followed. Committee comments followed.

Representative Pettersen commented on the committee's afternoon agenda and adjourned the meeting.