Courts Could Impose Lifetime Alcohol Ban
“Jekyll and Hyde” Bill Moves Out of Senate Judiciary

Juneau - A bill giving courts the option to impose up to a lifetime ban on alcohol for perpetrators of certain crimes committed while under the influence moved from the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday.

“While I do not pretend that Senate Bill 36 is a magic bullet that will cure the alcohol problems in our state, it will give the state courts one more tool to deal with individuals who have proven they are unable to control themselves when they drink,” said bill sponsor Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole. “Some people have labeled this the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde bill because it could apply to individuals whose behavior radically changes to destructive when they drink.”

Senate Bill 36 allows a court to order a defendant convicted of certain crimes while under the influence of alcohol to refrain from consuming alcohol up to the lifetime of the defendant, if the court finds that the defendant’s conduct constituting the offense was substantially influenced by the consumption of alcohol, and there is reason to believe that imposing the ban is necessary to protect the public.

SB 36 now goes to the Senate Finance Committee. A letter of intent accompanying the bill directs the courts to use the Therapeutic Court in lieu of a standard sentencing for first time violators if openings are available.

A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032001a.mp3

Bill Would Illegalize Risky Hallucinogen
Sen Therriault’s SB 38 Bill Moves from Senate HESS

Juneau - A substance known to cause erratic and potentially dangerous behavior would be illegal under a bill that moved from the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee on Monday.

“Salvia is just starting to show up in Alaska, and I believe it is appropriate to determine if it should be added to our controlled substances list,” said bill sponsor Gene Therriault, R-North Pole.

Senate Bill 38 classifies Salvia divinorum as a Schedule IIA controlled substance, the same category as LSD. Known as Sally D on the street, Salvia divinorum can cause unpredictable physiological and psychological effects and erratic behavior in the user.

Salvia Divinorum is part of the Lamiaceae family of plants and grown primarily in Mexico. Delaware took action on what is being called Brett’s Law after a promising young man who used the drug committed suicide. The drug is outlawed in at least ten countries and four other states.

SB 38 now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A Fact Sheet for SB 38 is attached.
http://www.aksenateminority.com/pdfs/25/sb0038.pdf
A sound actuality can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007032002a.mp3