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Dear Senator, Assembly Member, and Elected Officials Representing Jamestown and Chautauqua County:
My name is Erin Himes, and I am a resident of Jamestown, New York. I am writing to ask for your leadership in addressing a heartbreaking issue that affects many families in our community: the continued sale of alcohol to individuals suffering from severe alcohol use disorder, even when they are clearly experiencing life-threatening medical complications.
Alcoholism is not simply a matter of poor choices--it is a serious medical disease. Families across Chautauqua County watch loved ones cycle through emergency rooms, hospital admissions, detoxification, and relapse. They may experience alcohol withdrawal seizures, cognitive impairment, repeated falls, malnutrition, liver disease, or other serious complications, yet they are often able to continue purchasing alcohol with little or no intervention.
I understand that alcohol is a legal product and that adults have legal rights. I am not asking for those rights to be taken away. Instead, I am asking New York State to examine whether additional safeguards could help prevent needless deaths and connect people with treatment before another crisis occurs.
I respectfully ask you to consider legislation or a legislative study that would:
Examine whether current alcohol sales laws adequately protect individuals who are clearly experiencing severe alcohol-related medical crises.
Explore practical, legally sound ways to intervene when a person repeatedly experiences life-threatening alcohol-related emergencies.
Expand education for alcohol retailers on recognizing signs of severe intoxication or medical distress and how to respond appropriately.
Increase funding for detoxification programs, inpatient rehabilitation, recovery housing, and mental health and addiction treatment in Chautauqua County and throughout New York.
Strengthen support for families who often become the primary caregivers for loved ones with severe alcohol use disorder.
The impact of alcoholism extends far beyond the person who drinks. Families experience emotional trauma, financial hardship, lost productivity, and constant fear that the next phone call will be from a hospital--or worse. Emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, hospitals, and taxpayers also bear significant costs.
As someone living in Jamestown, I have seen how addiction affects our community. I believe New York can lead the way by pursuing thoughtful, compassionate policies that emphasize treatment, prevention, and public safety while respecting individual rights.
I ask you to consider sponsoring or supporting legislation that addresses this issue and to continue investing in addiction treatment and recovery services across our region.
Thank you for your time, your service to our community, and your consideration of this important matter. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further and appreciate any response regarding how New York State can better protect individuals and families affected by severe alcohol use disorder.
Respectfully,
Erin Himes is a Jamestown resident.