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(From Pagei) order for six cash registers. What will hurt is the spin'off that will send ripples through the entire local economy. There was an 18-12% dip in business when the drinking age was raised from 18 to 19 and if the age is raised to 211 can give a projected figure of a dip of maybe 40%." But there is another tone to the voice that opposes raising the drinking age. Many local and state officials point out Uie age because of inconsistencies in the law regarding alcohol use. “As mayor of Wildwood, I have to oppose raising the drinking age," says Mayor Guy Muziani. "But as State Assemblyman, I have.to be responsive to the desires of the majority and support raising the drinking age. "The impact on Wildwood would be very severe. We are operating on a 10 week season. When you take a look at Atlantic City where the casinos operate 12 months a year, you have a different perspective. "The legal gambling age is 18 and you know that the 18-year-olds are drinking'as well. But the legal state drinking age is 19. How do you justify the difference between the Casino Control Commission and the state? The economy is very weak on the island (referring to Cape May County). Our city alone wold lose thousands of tourists to Atlantic City. There are many small businesses in the county rather than the conglomerate like in Atlantic City. Small businesses have to be protected.” WHEN ASKED HOW he would vote on the bill, Muziani responded, "As I said, I function in two different roles — mayor and assemblyman. I have not seen a final bill and there will doubtlessly be many amendments before that comes to vote — I must be responsive to the county but I also want to vote intelligently." One official who does not entirely support raising the legal drinking age is Riley Regan, Director of Alcoholism for thb state of New Jersey. "We don’t believe raising it»will cause more drinking nor do we believe that it will be a panacea. The only way my division can support the bill is if it is done in conjunction with an educational program in the schools and community. Righrnow I stand somewhere in the middle on the issue. "The school boards in Cape May County have not been very enthusiastic in wanting to develop a comprehensive alcohol education program. Maybe they are afraid that it may be a Pandora’s box. In fact, the county as a whole has not been very agressive in asking for the funds available as let’s say Essex, Newark and Bergen have," continues Regan. “So in not asking, Cape May County has been somewhat neglected. The area lacks a constituency response and the key to resolving the problem is an aware community realizing that alcoholism can be treated. "IN CAPE MAY County, there are a lot of retirees and tourists. Unfortunately, the elderly and those that have a lot of leisure time are particularly susceptible to the disease of alcoholism. "I would like to see some healthy drinking habits developed in the young in Cape May County. There is also a problem of enforcing the laws that are on the books.” What follows may portend a nightmare in President Reagan's proposed federalism program. State officials passing the buck to county officials for local programs that are supposed to-be funded by an expanding tax base that home owners are eithei unable or unwilling to support.

"I THINK the state is absolutely wrong," said Freeholder Jerry Thorton who is in charge of Health and Human Services in the county. "Candidly, we have tried to get funds from 1976 through 1979 from the state. They were more interested in funding large municipalities like Camden and Newark. Why haven't the state people been down here? I never met a man from the State Alcohol Abuse Division until last year. "Because many people in the county who have problems with alcohol are also cross-addicts and have mental problems we consolidated our alcohol abuse program under the heading Mental Health Services. We araropriate all funds for the program from tne county budget. In order to utilize the very few resources available we felt this was our best bet. It was the’ state that didn't want us to combine. "What we need in Cape May County is an existing facility with two or three beds in it to use as a holding center. We also need cooperation from the judges that will sign commitment orders to a de-tox center. You can’t just slap a $25 fine on people and expect that to solve the problem. Louis Lamana, who was responsible for initiating the first program in the county dealing with alcoholism in 1974, also disagrees that the state was able to give great amounts of help to the program. "Very little money was forthcoming from the state. We received maybe $20,000 to cover salaries and $8,000 or $10,000 which went to de-tox. But that was only seed money provided for as long as the funds lasted with the understanding the county would pick up the bill.” Dr. Theodore Johnson, who chairs the Mental Health Services in Cape May County and who is Superintendent of Schools in Middle Township, disagrees with the state’s view of schools in the county. "I AM NOT aware of any money or help being offered by the state to combat the problem of alcoholism. As with all other sooietal problems that the school discussed, you need to have the support of many different sectors of society. "I would like to see a full frontal attack on the problem. Our schools are willing to go 200 percent if the other areas can go 100 percent. ! am rather reticent to say that the schools can provide the total solution to the problem. I don’t want the total burden put upon the schools. Two years ago I initiated an awareness seminar on alcoholism. The resonse was very positive." Although there are several influencing factors when making laws regarding the use of alcohol in the state, the overwhelming indication does seem to point towards tighter control of alcohol sale and use. The law, like any other system of rules is formulated by a consensus of different groups. Inputs regarding alcoholism in the county come from legislators, concerned citizens, clergy, members of the business community, professionals in the health fields and schools, as well as parents and children. Each group has its own ideas about how the problem of alcoholism should be handled. If Cape May County is to resolve these differences and formulate a comprehensive plan to deal with alcoholism, it must integrate. There are many groups and individuals working to combat the problems of alcoholism as they manifest themselves in drunk driving incidents, taxing the health system and breaking up family structure. To date, there has not been enough structural unification of all groups to wage the battle against the bottle.

MORE THAN 100 children completed the summer program of the Gourmet Reading Club at the Cape May County Library as they were entertained by Folk Singer Jim Albertson. The youngsters received certificates of participation and were served refreshments. Program was coordinated by Kathy Duffy, public relations director.

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