April 25, 2016

Jaden Christensen
64 W. 2170 N.
Provo, Utah 84604
jadenschristensen@gmail.com
385-315-5245
Representative Sandra Hollins
State of Utah House of Representatives
518 N. 800 W.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
Dear Representative Hollins,
My name is Jaden Christensen. I am a twenty-two year college student
working with others to help bring change to an issue that few recognize. My
peers and I are working to help those involved with alcohol related spousal
abuse. I work as an EMT in a local emergency room and have seen firsthand
the effects of alcohol in decision making.
After continued research we have come to learn that alcohol plays a major
role in intimate partner and child abuse. A recent survey of child welfare
agencies found that as many as 80 percent of child abuse cases are associated
with the use of alcohol and other drugs. (Rockville MD, ch. 1) We have also
talked to multiple police officers who, when asked what the contributors to
abuse are, have stated that the biggest one is alcohol abuse. Utah may not
have the largest alcohol consumption rates in the country but as the map on
the following page indicates, it is a problem. Utah is also no slouch in cases
of domestic violence. In 2012 more than 3,114 Utah men, women, and
children entered shelters to escape domestic violence. (NCADV, pg. 1)
My peers and I are taking initiative in creating social awareness and
encouraging others to be aware of their alcohol consumption. What we are
asking for help with is the legal part of this battle. As you are on the Social
Services Appropriation Committee and the House Law Enforcement and

Criminal Justice Committee, there is no one better than you to oversee these
proposed changes. Our group, Love Shouldnt Hurt is asking the legislature
to allocate more funding for treatment facilities and to expand the drug court
already in existence. We feel that by focusing on treatment rather than jail
for non-violent alcohol related incidents, the state would also see an overall
decrease in domestic violence. It has been noted in several studies that the
amount of people needing and seeking treatment, not only for alcohol issues,
but many others as well, far exceeds what the state can currently provide with
the current budget.
Sincerely,
Jaden Christensen