Group Seeks Alcohol Tax To Fund Care For Mentally Ill, Others

Advocates for some of North Carolina's most vulnerable people say an organized campaign by the state's beer, wine and liquor industry will sidetrack their efforts to get more money.

A group called Coalition 2001 is urging passage of a bill that would establish a trust fund to provide more services for people with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse disorders.

"And it's not like you can just hire anybody to help or get a babysitter. These children require extraordinarily specialized care," says parent Linda Linbeck.

The bill calls for increased taxes on beer, wine, and liquor. It would raise $95 million a year.

Coalition 2001 says this would cost another 3-cents per can of beer, 15-cents per liter of wine, and a 12-percent hike in the tax on liquor.

The North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association

says it is totally unfair to place the burden on one industry and consumers.