Some say every cloud has a silver lining.

According to a recent op-ed piece in the IndyStar, raising taxes on alcohol is a good thing because it will positively affect the amount of underage drinking in Indiana.  The authors further point out that a portion of the tax should be put toward treating those with alcohol/drug addiction.  Such a move would save society about $7.46 per dollar invested in such programs.  It sounds good, except for one little problem...

It's called reality:  Each year the states collect roughly $22 billion in revenue from tobacco taxes and the 1998 state tobacco settlement—a mere 7% of which would fully fund smoking prevention and cessation programs in all 50 states.  Only 3 states fully fund such programs (Indiana isn't one of them). The other 47 divert the funds for "other needs."

Plain & Simple:  Addicts live lives of lies and deception which destroy the well-being of themselves and those around them.  If you ask an addict where the rent money went, they'll tell you "Something really important came up."   Intervention is the term used when the addict is cut off the from his high, confronted about the long standing deception and forced to take responsibility for their actions.  It is a difficult, but proven road to recovery.   I really hate to rain on this parade, but the last thing we need is another tax for politicians to abuse.  To many of these folks, it's their drug of choice.  A little taxpayer intervention at the polls would be the real silver lining.