Public Hearing on Beer Tax Bill Today @ 5 pm

A Public Hearing regarding an increase in the beer tax is scheduled for Monday, February 22 at 5:00 p.m. in the House of Delegates Chambers. The Hearing is being held by the House Committee on Health and will focus on House Bill 2100. This bill, in its amended form, will generate revenues to the state from an increase in the beer tax, which hasn’t been increased since 1966. The revenues will be used to meet the needs of the state’s substance abuse continuum of care: Prevention, Early Intervention, Treatment and Recovery. Monies will be administered by the WV Supreme Court of Appeals and distributed based on decisions of a multi-disciplinary board in a manner consistent with the Governor’s Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Address Substance Abuse in WV and the recommendations of the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being.

February 14-20th is Children of Alcoholics Week

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) encourages you to take part in grassroots efforts in your community to raise awareness that children of addiction can be encouraged and supported just knowing there are safe people who can help. Visit the NACoA website to learn more about what you can do support this national observance. Source: U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration E-Network

WV Participates in National Anti-Drug Conference

West Virginia will be represented at the 2010 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA's) Annual National Leadership Forum, which is this week in National Harbour, Maryland. Cabell County's Anne McGee and Marshall University's Carla Lapelle are among the presenters of the "Campus and Community Collaboration: Working Together to Prevent Substance Abuse Among College Students" workshop. Also, WV's CADCA Association will be presented with the National State Association Award at the award luncheon.

WV Partnership Bill Moves Along

House Bill 4150 passed TR 1/28/2010 in the House Judiciary Committee and has been referred to the House Committee on Finance.

February Health Observances

Health Observances in the month of February include: American Heart Month, International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, National Children's Dental Health Month, Children of Alcoholics Week (Feb 14-20), and National Donor Day (Feb 14). Source: National Health Information Center

WV Partnership Bills Introduced

Two identical bills have been introduced in the WV Legislature that will create the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being in code: SB 330 and HB 4150. The WV Legislature’s website contains the bills in their entirety and information on their status, which will be updated as the bills proceed through the legislative process.

WV Partnership Releases Annual Report

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being's 2009 annual report is now available online.