Substance Abuse Advisory Commission continues to meet to discuss Columbia drink specials

Wednesday the Substance Abuse Advisory Commission (SACC) met at noon with a group of departments within the city of Columbia to discuss alcohol policies, specifically drink specials.

In March of this year, the Columbia City Council had requested a report on drink specials and that report went to several departments within Columbia, and those department heads are continuing to work on a draft to present to city council members.

Steve Hollis, human services manager for Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, said they plan to submit a draft by this summer.

Hollis said it’s important to know the City Council process is different than SAAC.

“The commission also discuss drink specials and has submitted a memo to council about alcohol policy last fall… the draft report will be provided to the commission prior to submission to council for their feedback and then from there the SAAC can do their own report but the staff report will be with input from the commission,” Hollis said.

Another department commissioner, Kim Dude, represents Higher Education said people need to start using their voices.

“I think it’s important that if the community cares about this to let their City Council person know,” said Dude.

Dude also said people need to address their council members they will vote for them if they favored drink special legislation.

“I think that the City Council is not hearing from the public and so it would be good for us to use our voices and let our voices be heard,” Dude said.

The next commission meeting will be held July 11 at noon.

According to Hollis staff meetings are separate.

“I would just point out that alcohol policy has been a standing item on their agenda for as long as I have been staff for the commission,” Hollis said.