Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511270070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press|
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA LENGTH: Medium
The measure, passed in 1934 after the end of Prohibition and rediscovered in the early 1990s, allows courts in Arlington County and Alexandria to bar people identified as chronic drunks from buying or possessing alcohol.
Under the law, the designated abusers can be jailed for up to a year - or until they agree to enter a treatment program - if caught with alcohol.
Officials in Alexandria began enforcing the law last year, two years after Arlington started. They said they did it because the cycle of arresting offenders, drying them out and releasing them to drink again wasn't working.
It also was costing the communities money, not only for the approximately 90 minutes it takes police to complete an arrest, but also for court costs and the expense of treatment at detoxification facilities.
``They're getting their hands on the alcohol too easily,'' said Albert C. Eisenberg, chairman of the Arlington County Board. ``Alcoholism is considered a disease, so they should be kept away from it.''
To date, about 40 men and women have been designated chronic abusers.
Prosecutors can attempt to get people they consider chronic offenders identified as such by seeking a court order. Once secured, the person's personal data and photograph are circulated to area stores that sell alcohol.
Abusers can petition for removal from the list if their behavior improves.
Officials say the law has proven a valuable tool for police. They say that, since they began using the law, they have seen a sharp decline in alcohol-related arrests in areas frequented by the worst offenders.
Some Alexandria officials are even considering asking the General Assembly to allow them to jail designated offenders for having trace amounts of alcohol on their breath or in their blood. Others, however, say the law puts too much responsibility on merchants who sell alcoholic beverages.
The law allows for merchants who sell alcohol to designated abusers to be fined, but officials say no fines or punishments have been assessed so far.
The question of safety for workers refusing a sale also causes concern.
``I'm concerned that this places the 7-Eleven employee as a cop on the beat,'' said Margaret Chabris, a spokeswoman for Southland Corp. ``People have been assaulted and murdered because they refused an illegal sale.''
by CNB