#040424
Dear City Commissioners:


In evaluating the merits of extending bar hours from 2 am to 3 am in the City of Gainesville, there are several compelling health and safety facts and factors that argue against this extension.  

Excessive alcohol use represents a major public health threat to our society.  According to Clinical Toxicology 1st Edition (2001), excessive alcohol use is associated with the following national consequences: 
    * 67% of all Murders
    * 50% of all Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents
    * 35% of all Suicides
    * 40% of all Emergency Department Visits
    * 33% of Hospital Admissions

In addition, alcohol is consumed by the either the victim or perpetrator in 75% of all sexual assaults (Dangerous Liaisons: Substance Abuse and Sex, 1999).  Finally, the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (Alcohol Alert, 2001) maintains that alcohol costs the US economy $185 billion annually.
The following issues merit your attention in fully evaluating extending bar hours:
1. It takes approximately one hour for a person to absorb one alcoholic drink.  Variables such as gender, body weight, fatigue, food absorbed before hand, and medication can alter this rate (Dr. Paul Doering, Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 5th. Ed. Substance-Related Disorders II: Alcohol, Nicotine, and Caffeine. Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Connecticut, 2001, 1202-1218).  Consequently, spending an extra hour at the bar may actually increase an individual's blood alcohol concentration rather than allowing a person to sober up prior to leaving the establishment.
2. While alcohol will not be sold after 2:00am, in all likelihood, patrons in non-compliant bars will continue to consume their drink(s) purchased at last call.   
3. If alcohol is not available after 2:00am, certain already intoxicated patrons may be more likely to experiment with illicit or non-prescribed prescription drugs.  
4. In the last 15 months there have been five student alcohol related deaths and the binge drinking rates have increased 6% to12% since Spring 2002.  Officials at the University of Florida believe that extending bar hours may result in more alcohol related consequences at a time when a campus/community coalition is exploring various prevention initiatives.  

#040424

Page Two
Proponents for extending bar hours argue that the policy proposal will remedy late night downtown congestion. However, it is likely the majority of patrons will stay at the bars until they close.  In summary, the health and economic consequences of extending the bar hours clearly outweigh any theoretical benefits.    

Please let me know if I can address any questions, comments, or concerns.

Sincerely, 

Phillip L. Barkley, M.D.                                                                                                 Director, Student Health Care Center                                                                                                Associate Professor, Community Health and Family Medicine                                  University of Florida
Submitted to the Public Safety Committee Staff Liaison 5/2/05