Democratic Bill to Curb Alcohol-Related Deaths in Gallup/McKinley Signed into Law

HB 162 Allows McKinley County to Restrict Alcohol Sales Between 7am-10am

By Daniel Marzec | 03/14/17 1:13 PM MST

(Santa Fe, NM) – Today, Representatives D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock) attended a ceremony at Governor Susana Martinez’s office to witness the signing of her bill to curb alcohol-related deaths in McKinley County. The Mayor of Gallup, Jackie McKinney, was also in attendance. House Bill 162 allows McKinley County to restrict the sales of packaged liquor between 7am and 10am. “This common-sense legislation addresses both a community health and public safety issue in Gallup,“ said Rep. Johnson. “It is just one piece of the puzzle and further funding for both education and treatment programs is needed.” House Bill 162 is co-sponsored by Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup), Eliseo Alcon (D-Milan), and Harry Garcia (D-Grants). Every winter, below freezing temperatures coupled with alcohol consumption leads to numerous deaths in McKinley County. Six exposure deaths have been confirmed this winter alone.

Photo caption: City of Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney, Representative Doreen Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock), Governor Susana Martinez, and Representative Patty Lundstrom (D-Gallup)