Wine Sales on Skid Row

The article by Martin M. Cohen (“Wine: a Drop in the Bucket of Skid Row Woe,” Op-Ed Page, Nov. 1) is more a symptom of the problem than a realistic view of the problems related to cheap wine sales in the downtown Skid Row area. Cohen contends that some persons are destined to be miserable on Skid Rows and that they should not be deprived of the temporary comfort of a bottle of cheap fortified wine.

For every portion of intoxicated comfort achieved with the cheap wines, there are many portions of misery. Consumption of cheap wines results in physical deterioration, mental anguish and a loss of motivation to improve one’s living situation.

Gallo and other wineries have reaped enormous profits from the manufacture and distribution of the cheap fortified wines to the Skid Row misery market for over 30 years. Supervisor Ed Edelman and the County Office of Alcohol Programs have now raised the issue with the plan of starting to reduce the growing problems within the downtown Skid Row area. The fact that Gallo was embarrassed and offered to withdraw the product from Skid Row areas is testimony to its awareness of the damage caused. To date no reduction in the Skid Row alcohol outlets has been observed. The county plans to conduct a study to determine if the cheap wines availability is reduced, and, if so, what the effect is on public intoxication and other related problems.

The removal of the cheap wines is not an overall solution to the massive political, social and economical problems of Los Angeles downtown Skid Row. There will remain a need to develop additional recovery programs and establish long-term housing, jobs and support systems. However, reducing the availability of the cheap wines is a positive step. Yes, some of those addicted to the cheap wines (winos) will move to other areas and others will purchase bootlegged bottles. But others, in time, will seek help in the several quality downtown recovery programs. The environment for the sales of other drugs will be reduced.

Let us hope more citizens become aware of the many problems that exist for the lonely and destitute and become willing to initiate change.

KEN SCHONLAU

Executive Director, California

Assn. of Alcoholic Recovery

Homes, Los Angeles