Las Cruces Council signals support for alcohol harm alleviation fund

The city of Las Cruces council called for the state government to establish an alcohol harm alleviation fund on Feb. 4 after approving the transfer of five liquor licenses during a meeting.  

The fund, which would come from a special tax on alcohol, would go towards alleviating negative outcomes associated with alcohol, such as alcoholism, teen drinking, and alcohol-related deaths. 

While several specific legislative proposals in the past would increase the tax on alcohol or establish a fund, the council’s resolution was meant to signal support for the general idea – not a specific policy or bill. 

"This is in support of the idea of creating some sort of fund,” Councilor Johana Bencomo said during the meeting. 

This is the third year advocates have proposed increasing the tax on alcohol. They say increasing the tax and using the proceeds to start an alcohol harm alleviation fund would positively affect one of New Mexico’s deadliest public health challenges. 

The state Department of Health reported in January that alcohol deaths had declined for a second straight year in 2023. However, the same information showed 1,896 New Mexicans died from alcohol-related deaths that year. It decreased from 2,067 in 2022 and from 2021’s high watermark of 2,274. 

Those are the worst numbers in the U.S.

“The decline highlights the positive impact of targeted interventions, community partnerships, and policy initiatives designed to address alcohol misuse,” NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Miranda Durham said in a news release. “While this progress is encouraging, we must remain committed to expanding access to healthcare, including substance use treatment, and implementing community-based interventions that address prevention.”

In the last two years, legislators have proposed bills to raise the tax by 25 cents on all sellers of beer, wine, and spirits. Critics—including Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena, D-Mesilla—said the hike was too high and could be ineffective. Lara Cadena and others have proposed bills that would raise taxes on more expensive drinks and lower taxes on less expensive ones. 

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ultimately vetoed an increase last year. 

During the same meeting, the council approved the transfer of four liquor licenses from Brewer Oil Company to New Mexico Company Operations, LLC.

The five New Mexico Company Operations include:

• Nacho Shell, 2512 E. Lohman Ave.
• University Shell, 1305 S. Solano Dr.
• Country Club Shell, 2901 N. Main St.
• Triviz Shell, 3040 N. Main St.
• Holiday Shell, 2645 S. Valley Dr.

The approvals were for package sales.