ALCOHOL
HARMS
ALLEVIATION
About the
AHA Coalition
OUR HISTORY
The AHA Coalition stands on the shoulders of many activists and community members dedicated to tackling the pernicious and devastating harms that alcohol causes in our state. Alcohol taxes have not been increased since 1993. In 2003, a statewide poll showed that 69% favored an increase to deter excessive drinking. In 2021, NM reached an all time high of 2,276 deaths due to alcohol related harms. In 2022, a group of public health advocates and legislators provided an educational online session to discuss alcohol harms and possible solutions to address them. They also created the Alcohol Harms Alleviation Coalition. In 2023, this group of advocates and legislators introduced a bill to increase the tax per drink by 25 cents. The bill made it through committees but in the end was vetoed. In 2024, the group has grown, received endorsements from various community stakeholders, and will once again introduce a bill to increase alcohol tax by 25 cents to develop the AHA fund which will create a sustainable source of funding to address the multitude of harms due to excessive alcohol consumption in our state.
Our Core Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
MD; MPH Addiction Medicine, Internal Medicine; Gallup Alcohol Taskforce
Jennie Wei
“There is no way to exaggerate the extent of alcohol-related harms in our emergency departments, Intensive care units, and clinics. We are facing a public health emergency, one we’ve been fighting for decades and only getting worse. I never get used to seeing patients dying from preventable illnesses. Yes, alcohol-related harms are preventable illnesses, but only if sound evidence-based public health practices are enacted. We need to shift this alcohol epidemic from disaster mitigation to prevention. Our communities need us to be stronger.”
MPH; Public Health Advocate
Shelley Mann-Lev
“I want to see our families and communities thriving, not dying from alcohol harms. We know that raising New Mexico’s alcohol taxes will save lives. So let’s do it—together.”
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MPH; SBS Evaluation & Program Development Specialists, LLC Owner & CEO
Sindy Bolaños-Sacoman
"As communities, we, prevention programs, treatment programs, coalitions, and community members, have been fighting alcohol-related harms for years; all with limited funding and workforce. We need something much more substantial to achieve the outcomes we need. Increasing the liquor excise tax, a proven evidence-based strategy, will not only reduce alcohol related harms but also generate funds to provide prevention and treatment services in NM."
MPH; Substance Use Researcher
Marlene C. Lira
“I endorse raising alcohol taxes to enable more New Mexicans to live lives free from the harms of excessive alcohol consumption.”
Substance Use Preventionist and Trainer
Tyson Coriz
“…My people have been targeted for so long by alcohol industries through cheap alcohol and accessibility within five miles from my dry reservation. With humility, I ask that you please help my people walk towards resiliency and healing.”
Our Legislative Champions
Representative
Joanne J. Ferrary
“Raising the alcohol excise tax is proven to be the most effective evidence-based strategy for reducing alcohol consumption and improved health and safety of all New Mexicans. These taxes haven’t been raised for 30 years and are significantly lower due to inflation. Alcohol harms intersect with many issues we are trying to overcome in New Mexico and alcohol-related deaths, being ranked #1 in the nation, is a good start. It will also help reduce binge and underage drinking, motor vehicle crashes, rates of crime, violence and sexually transmitted infections. Please join us to change this one very important public health strategy!”
Senator
Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez
“I am passionate about moving the needle on social problems in our communities. Depressing alcohol consumption by raising the excise tax is one way to do it. And, the funds raised can be deployed for prevention, treatment and recovery and the other ills posed by alcohol misuse.”
Senator
Shannon Pinto
“I am honored to work with Representative Ferrary and Senator Sedillo-Lopez on HB179 & SB147, along with all the doctors, medical professionals, and advocates. This issue has deep historical roots that now have culminated to increased fatal outcomes present day. With these bills, resource funding will allow our people to have access to opportunities in improving all impacted individuals.”