From the Desk of
Senator Johnny Ellis
Representing the neighborhoods of Airport Heights, Campbell Park, College Village, Downtown, Fairview, Geneva Woods, Government Hill, Green Acres, Midtown, Rogers Park, Spenard, South Addition, Tudor and Waldron

e-mail: Senator_Johnny_Ellis@legis.state.ak.us
On the web at ellis.akdemocrats.org
Toll free: 1-888-330-3704

Senator Ellis participates in the Wake Forest Addiction Studies workshop in Portland, OR. Senator Ellis and Representative Gardner attend the UAA Integrated Science Center Ground Dedication Senator Ellis and UAA officials break symbolic ground at the UAA Integrated Science Center Senator Ellis and Representative Gardner stand with UAA Chancellor Elaine Maimon at the Integrated Science Center Ground Dedication ceremony.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

       Long troubled by the high rates of substance abuse here in Alaska, I recently attended an excellent workshop on alcohol and drug addiction. The seminar, sponsored by the Wake Forest University Addiction Studies Program, featured presentations by scientists, economists, advocates and legislators from other states. It was a thought-provoking and intense two days, and I wanted to share with you some of the information that I learned.

       We listened to lectures on the newest science regarding addiction and treatment, as well as presentations on the economic burden of substance abuse and addiction. During each presentation, legislators from around the country shared concerns as well as successes from their respective states. We visited a Portland substance abuse clinic, which also housed a low-cost job match program that helped clients become productive members of society.

       Looking at the rates of addiction in our own state is indeed a wake-up call: Alaska has some of the highest rates of substance abuse in the nation. Alcohol and other drugs account for 20% of felony filings in the state in 2005, and it is estimated that, nationwide, drugs are involved in about 50% of violent crimes. Clearly, drugs deeply affect our entire society, not just the criminals. Recent statistics show that simply imprisoning drug offenders, without offering treatment both in jail and afterwards, results in high rates of recidivism, once they are released.

       I strongly believe that criminals should face the consequences of their crimes. However, once they have paid their debt to society, I would like to see them become productive, tax-paying members of society, rather than falling back into drugs, and eventually returning to jail. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Juneau this year to come up with creative and cost effective approaches for the substance abuse problem in Alaska.

        Best Regards,

        Senator Johnny Ellis

P.S. As always, it is my honor and privilege to serve you.
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