Bill would merge alcohol, drug control
Bill would merge alcohol, drug control

Comments Comment on this article4

By Michael McNutt
Published: February 14, 2008

A bill abolishing the commission that regulates the state's alcohol industry and placing it under the state's drug enforcement agency received the backing of a House committee and is on its way to the full House.

Advertisement

House Bill 3158, by Rep. Gus Blackwell, would eliminate the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission; most of its functions would be placed under the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, while some duties would be placed under the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

If legislators approve the bill, it would go before voters who have the final say because the ABLE Commission is a constitutional body. It was created in 1959 to enforce alcohol laws after the state repealed prohibition.

Blackwell, R-Goodwell, said his measure is an attempt to streamline government.

"We just have a multitude of agencies, boards and commissions that do similar and also identical functions and this is one that just seems to be a very compatible fit, putting alcohol regulation under an agency that already does dangerous drugs and narcotics,” he said.

Darrell Weaver, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, said he is open-minded about the proposal.

"If we're put in a position we have to do this, we'll find a way to make it work,” he said. "It's easy to do something, but how about the success we're going to have long-term?”

Should ABLE stand alone?
Keith Burt, director of the ABLE Commission, said Oklahomans would be best served with ABLE being a stand-alone agency. The agency takes seriously its three missions — laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages, charity games and youth access to tobacco.

"Our mission is No. 1 to us, but if we put our mission with anybody else, does that mission become diluted? And I think that's a possibility,” Burt said.

He questioned whether the move would streamline state government, saying a study showed it would cost about $1.3 million to place ABLE under the narcotics bureau.

A big chunk of that amount was for increased salaries — ABLE agents are paid less than drug agents — and that would be an annual cost, Burt said.

Blackwell said his bill calls for a 5 percent reduction in staff, such as secretaries and attorneys, who would be performing duplicate duties. No agents would be cut, he said.

Blackwell said ABLE agents working together with narcotics agents would result in better enforcement and a larger amount of fee collections.

Blackwell said he has heard some concerns from liquor wholesalers because they would be lumped into an agency that deals with narcotics.


 

Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford

Jobs - $37 An Hour
Anyone Eligible. Flexible Hours. Start Investing in Yourself….
Home-Job-Info.com/jobs

Oklahoma City Jobs
$30/Hour Work From Home Jobs.View Home Jobs Now! Computer Required.
National-News-Gazette.com

shareView All

Buzz Up!


Leave a Comment

Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online

Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.


Log in below or sign up (it's free).





"This idea is ridiculous. Alcohol and narcotics should never be grouped together in any situation. One is illegal, the other is legal."

This is the reason to visit my site:

www.alcoholthenarcotic.org

Alcohol IS an illegal drug for persons under 21 years of age. It IS a narcotic type of drug.

thank you
Lou, Oklahoma City - Jun 6, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Lou
If ABLE is mandated by the constitution, then shouldn't the Narcos be placed under them? As a matter of fact, why do we have a Narcotics Bureau anyway? Isn't this what the police departments, OHP, OSBI, DEA and FBI do? The Narcotics Bureau should be abolished all together. It just duplicates services.
Kevin, Shawnee - Feb 14, 2008 at 12:36 pm
OHP, OSBI, OBN should all be combined under Department of Public Safety. This has been recommended for the past 30 years and still no action by the legislature. Don't look for change in this area because the bureacracy controls the legislature and with term limits no member of the legislature has enough clout to make needed changes.
Dave, Oklahoma City - Feb 14, 2008 at 7:13 am
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Dave
This idea is ridiculous. Alcohol and narcotics should never be grouped together in any situation. One is illegal, the other is legal. The drug taskforce needs to concentrate on illegal drugs, the guy introducing this bill obviously has an issue with people who drink alcohol. Alcohol is legal, get over it! Illegal drugs are illegal for a reason, alcohol is legal for a reason... it's manageable! Go back to Blackwell, sir, and leave the rest of the real world alone. These little redneck and ignorant districts should not be allowed any representation... they are going to ruin our state and our future. Any dumba** can run for state rep and that is unfortunate... people should be required to exhibit some intellect before being allowed to fleece the public for votes. Stay in Blackwell and leave the real world alone... this is to all backwoods idiots in the world!!
Walker, New York, NY - Feb 14, 2008 at 12:49 am

    News Photo Galleriesview all