Tax increase plan to boost alcohol detox services

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by Change | 27 Feb 2009

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A new scheme to support alcohol detox services in a part of Oregon in the US has caused something of a stir among brewers and other firms concerned that the plans might damage business.

An innovative scheme that would see taxes on the sale of alcohol going directly to help alcohol detox services and local rehab centers has been criticised by brewers.

Proposals in Salem, Oregon, would see beer tax increased by a massive 1,900 per cent, but the proceeds from the extra money would be given over to local organisations that help alcoholics to recover from their addiction.

"Increasing the beer tax is one of the most logical steps that can be taken in the goal to stabilize addiction recovery services," Stephanie Soares Pump, who serves on the governor's council on alcohol and drug abuse programs, told the KGW channel.

However, the plans have been attacked by brewers and other businesses, who have claimed that the low tax on alcohol has helped create a thriving industry in the region.

It has recently been reported that some areas in the US have seen an increase in addictions over the past few months as the pressures caused by the economic downturn have hit businesses and employees hard.

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