Senate rejects alcohol, drug treatment fund mandate

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Senate has rejected a bill that sought to mandate the state devote 5 percent of profits from liquor sales to alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs.

While state law already specifies that 5 percent of liquor profits should be set aside for such programs, the actual amount has fallen short.

On Thursday, the Senate voted down a bill that would’ve asked voters to approve adding the mandate to the state Constitution.

Senate Minority Leader Jeff Woodburn, a Whitefield Democrat, says a state that pushes booze on highways through strategically placed liquor stores should also be pushing prevention, treatment and recovery.

Republican Sen. Gary Daniels, of Milford, said lawmakers already are addressing the opioid crisis head on, and should examine the effectiveness of current spending before spending more.