Helena – In a presentation today to the Law & Justice Interim Committee, Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath announced the “Montana Alcohol Abuse and Drug-Free Plan,” a proposed ballot measure to use the state’s Alcohol Tax dollars to fund treatment courts and other drug and alcohol and treatment and prevention programs. Under the proposed initiative, the fund would be administered by the Montana Board of Crime Control.

“It seems like every week, Montanans are confronting headlines and news stories about repeat DUI offenders,” McGrath, a former Montana Attorney General said. “And, sadly, every community in this state has coped with deaths and serious injuries caused by drunk driving and drug use.”

The proposed initiative would shift about $5 million of the state’s Alcohol Tax funds to a state special revenue account to be administered by the Montana Board of Crime Control. Each year, the state collects about $36 million in alcohol taxes through the sale of beer, wine, and hard liquor.

Under the proposed ballot measure, the newly created account would fund a number of drug and alcohol prevention and treatment programs, including

- Drug and DUI treatment courts
- Prevention programs
- Treatment for addiction

“This initiative ensures that Montana continues to develop an intelligent approach to dealing with drug and alcohol related offences. Prevention, treatment courts, and substance treatment are methods that work. ” said John Parker, Cascade County Attorney.

After McGrath’s remarks to the committee, McGrath, Parker and other members of the Montana Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention filed the proposed initiative with the Secretary of State’s office. To qualify for the November ballot, organizers must collect 24,337 signatures. McGrath said the coalition hopes to begin signature-gathering as soon as March.

“It is clear to all of us that Montanans want to find solutions for the substance abuse tragedy in Montana,” McGrath said. “This initiative would provide much-needed funds to Montana courts, law enforcement and the health care and treatment communities.