Maryland's alcohol excise taxes are among the lowest in the country, and a new survey suggests most Marylanders support a dime-a-drink increase to pay for human services.
Of the 402 voters polled, almost three-quarters said they'd support a hike to fund treatments for mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance addictions.
"I think part of the reason is many people are affected by addiction," said Dr. Nancy Rosen-Cohen, executive director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Maryland. "They either know someone or are related to someone."
"So even though you think that people aren't in favor of raising taxes, they're also looking at it as a way to help people that are in need of services," she said.
Rosen-Cohen said the state has cut funds for addiction treatment by more than $4.5 million since the fiscal year began.
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