Addiction advocates in Maine say that state alcohol taxes should be raised in order to pay for more treatment services, and are pointing to recommendations in Join Together's Blueprint for the States to bolster their case.

WCSH-TV6 in Portland reported Feb. 1 that an alliance of Maine treatment programs and county sheriffs is referencing the Blueprint recommendations, developed by a national panel of state health experts, policymakers, and others, in calling for the tax increase. "The consequences of not spending the money that is needed on treatment and prevention and recovery ... cost the state and the citizens a lot more money," said Join Together's Roberta Leis, who coordinated the policy panel.

A bill introduced by state Rep. Anne Perry, who works in an addiction treatment program in Calais, would see increased alcohol taxes used to pay for treatment and prevention services. Citing the Blueprint report, Perry said, "With an increase in the alcohol tax there was a significant decrease in the amount of binge drinking in the young age group 18-20. That says that this works."