It was sad to read that Tom Slockett was arrested while driving under the influence of alcohol (but fortunate that he didn't kill anyone while doing so). I know Tom Slockett to be a very capable and progressive county auditor. His current arrest on OWI charges, with a blood alcohol level of about .133 (roughly 5 to 6 drinks consumed in an hour), should not necessarily reflect on his ability to manage his office. It should serve as a lesson that alcohol is a huge, judgment impairing, health and well-being disease-producing problem for a significant portion of people, whether you are 18 or 80. What we should all be concerned with is the culture that has been created around the use and misuse of alcohol.
Iowa is alcohol dependent with taxes in 2006 in the ballpark of $83 million (which the Alcohol Beverage Division proudly states is equal to 2% of the states revenues) and with 12% of the sales ($9.9 million in 2006 or $129 for every man, woman, and child*) for the state in Johnson County alone, Iowa City is likely to produce Draconian measures to address the problem because no consensus has been met by cooler heads. This will likely mean more law enforcement officers needed to police neighborhood house parties, more jail space/jail alternatives, and more bar enforcement.
One might call this the high cost of being a vibrant city. But, if we are truly honest, alcohol abuse is part of our state/city's DNA--drinkers and bars pay a lot of taxes. The 21 ordinance may close some bars, but it won't change the culture.
The arrest of "high profile' people like Tom Slockett and Burlington's mayor, Mike Edwards, and any number of athletes, and just plain folks should be an object lesson that it isn't just people under 21 that are a potential risk. We simply apply band-aids and ignore the obvious--we have endorsed a culture of alcohol abuse.
In Tom's case, I hope that he will seek help. He's a good man who needs to take care of himself.
* Polk county leads the way with $136, followed by Johnson, Scott ($114), Blackhawk ($110), and Linn ($109)--Story County, home to Iowa State ($91.50) with a 21 ordinance. The per capital statewide champions are the folks in Dickenson county ($220)
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