Most schools, in part through the DARE program, already provide some alcohol education. But efforts to encourage responsible drinking, recognizing trouble, and avoiding drunken driving should be stepped up, especially in the media. Government officials and legislators, too, could stand a little more knowledge about the many down sides of drinking. Former Rep. Francis Bardanouve attests to that in an article below. Finally, the task force should look around the nation for programs that work and see if they have any relevance to Montana.
Alcohol abuse is one of Montana's oldest traditions and biggest problems.
It's time we all pulled our heads out of the sand and dealt with it. Gannett Co .