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How a Higher Alcohol Tax Could Save Lives

Season 2
Episode #10
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It’s no secret drunk driving is a problem across the United States, and it seems to be an even bigger problem in New Mexico. According to statistics, New Mexico ranks within the top five states in the country with the most drunk driving fatalities. So how do we fix it? While it wouldn’t end drunk driving all together, a University of New Mexico Professor says a higher alcohol tax in the state could be a step in the right direction and he has the research to back it up. In this episode, we hear from Economics Professor Brady Horn who is walking us through his alcohol tax research, how it got started and where that information stands today.

Learn more about the Impact of Alcohol Taxes and Liquor Licenses in New Mexico research.

About Our Guest(s)

Brady Horn

Brady Horn is a professor in the Department of Economics and a member of the Center on Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions (CASAA) at The University of New Mexico. Horn’s research focuses on Health Behavior such as substance use disorders, economics, crime, with an interest in interventions and programs designed to improve the health of vulnerable and low-income populations. Much of his research has sparked the interest of policymakers leading to law and policy changes.

Hosted by UCAM's Alexa Skonieski

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From podcast listener to podcast host, Alexa Skonieski is a university communication representative on The University of New Mexico’s Communication and Marketing team (UCAM). She’s thrilled to spread the word on important research coming out of UNM, New Mexico’s flagship university. In addition to producing It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, she writes stories and creates videos for the UNM Newsroom, the university’s official communication platform.

Skonieski is a graduate of Central Michigan University’s School of Communication, Journalism, and Media (’19). She is a former news reporter/anchor who worked at TV stations in Michigan, Nebraska, and most recently in New Mexico at KRQE News 13, where she won a New Mexico Broadcasters Association award. She is passionate about academic research and wants its topics to be understandable and accessible to everyone. People should know the important role UNM plays. She hopes you’ll subscribe to the show and follow along!