How to combat Wisconsin's drinking problem is the topic of a Capitol forum on Tuesday. Wisconsin leads the nation in binge drinking, alcohol abuse and drunk driving. So, what to do? “There's good evidence that alcohol taxes can reduce the use, particularly among young people,” says Paul Moberg with UW Madison's Population Health Institute . Moberg notes that Wisconsin has not increased the state beer tax — currently at 6.4 cents per gallon — since 1969. And, says Moberg, there is one liquor license for every 365 people in the state: “alcohol is very inexpensive and highly available in our communities.” Moberg and other presenters will outline prevention and treatment strategies that might help Wisconsin improve its dismal drinking record .
