The Jackson Hole Guide from Jackson, Wyoming • 10

A 10 Jackson Hole Guide, Wednesday, January 18, 1989 reduces deaths Study: higher drinking highway funds. A bill to restore 19 as the legal drinking age has been pre-filed in the Legislature by House Minority Leader H.L Jensen, D-Teton County, and state Rep. Dan Budd of Pinedale. "At that age, you know you're immortal, pu know ycuTI never bo caught mi you know that all accidents are Michael Decker By Ray Stephens Special to the Guide WASHINGTONA new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concludes that raising the legal drinking age to 21 is more effective in reducing drunken-drinking deaths among 19- and 20-year-olds than is the threat of stiff legal penalties. The study was conducted in Tennessee by the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the federal Centers for Disease Control.

It measured the effect of recent changes in Tennessee laws on death rates in traffic accidents involving people aged 15 to 21. While the research concluded that tough laws did not have the desired effect on 19- and 20-year-olds, it found that drivers who were either older or younger than this age group were deterred. However, the deterrent effect lasted only a fewyears, the Journahepoit said. Publication of the research comes as the Wyoming Legislature prepares to reconsider legislation raising the state's legal drinking age from 19 to 21. That law was passed six months ago when the state faced a federal mandate that threatened loss of millions of dollars in according to an estimate by the Wyoming Highway Department.

They will have to overcome the opposition of Gov. Mike Sullivan, who has announced his opposition to any repeal movement. Jensen was asked about the Tennessee research, and said he didn't think the findings would apply to Wyoming. Comparing fatality rates in the two states, he said, amounted to 'comparing apples and oranges." Dr. Michael D.

Decker, principal author of the report, said the study underscores the importance of establishing a nationally uniform drinking age of 21, particularly since 19- and 20-year-olds are relatively unswayed by the threat of penalties for drunken driving. 'At that age," said Decker, "you know you're immortal, you know youH never be caught and you know that all accidents are survivable. You just think they're talking about someone else." The study was undertaken in an attempt to reconcile disagreements among public health experts over the relative effectiveness of laws, publicity and community campaigns in reducing alcohol-related accidents among young people. Most fatal injuries result from automobile accidents; injuries are the leading cause of death among people under age 45. Researchers used changes in automobile accident death rates among various age groups to assess the effect of two Tennessee laws, a 1982 measure that tightened penalties for drunken driving and a 1984 law that raised the legal drinking age from 19 to 21.

For two age groups drivers 15 to 18 and drivers 21 to 24 researchers noted dramatic but temporary declines in death rates starting in 1982 when the tougher penalties took effect. For the older age group, the death rate returned to original levels by early 1984. For the younger drivers, it was 1986 before the death rate got back to pre-1982 levels. However, for 19-r and 20-year-olds, the death rate was unaffected by tightening the penalties. On the other hand, in the 38 months after the legal drinking age was raised, the death rate in this age group declined by 38 percent.

As for the study's overall findings, Decker said they suggested that publicity and community campaigns associated with tightening drunken-driving penalties can reduce death rates, but that such effects are transient in the absence of an effort to keep public attention focused on the problem In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Jensen said, 1 think we disfranchised a segment of the population of the state and I don't think it's done that much good in cutting down the (traffic) fatalities." Budd, also in an interview with the AP, raised the issue that the federal government's threat to withhold highway money was an unconstitutional intervention in state, affairs. 1 feel the federal government violated the trust of the Constitution and I think it's (repeal) worth he said. If Budd and Jensen succeed in their initiative, it could cost the state $12.3 million in federal funding in fiscal 1990, Jackson drops begging charge 4 ft I gious nor charitable organization for the purpose of his solicitations." Langan said in an interview last summer that he had been an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church since 1969, running his Sacred Pipe Mission. He said he had been reared on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and was an adopted member of the Oglala Sioux tribe. Langan said he had sheltered many Indians in his home over the years, and that his mission was well-known among the Indians.

Langan was arrested July 2 on the Town Square after repeated complaints to the Jackson police by Bill Westbrook of The Hole Works, who said in an inter- renders services poses) inform the people he is posing or that he is a member of a religious organization and that he will request a donation on behalf of the organization. "I have no problem with people asking him to pose when they know 'up front' that he is in fact going to charge for his service," Larson wrote, indicating that the town had taken this position earlier when groups such as the "Moonies" or "Krishna Consciousness" came to town. Larson also told Lubing in his letter thatreligiousorgaiuzationsmWyoming were required to register with the Secretary of State, and that unless he registers, Langan "will not be considered a reli i I 'Teton Jack' Langan view that Langan's solicitation "just gives buckskinners and mountain men a bad name." By Allen Baker Managing Editor The Town of Jackson has dropped a begging charge against "Teton Jack" Langan after the case dragged on for almost six months. Langan, 67, had pleaded not guilty to the charge in municipal court, contending that he was an ordained minister who collected funds from tourists to help him in his ministry with the Indians. In a Dec 20 letter to Langan's attorney, Jim Lubing, Town Attorney Dave Larson indicated that Langan did indeed have a constitutionally protected right to solicit funds for a religious organization on the Town Square without obtaining a business license.

Langan had been posing in his "mountain man outfit for tourist photos, and then soliciting donations, he freely admitted. Larsen said in his letter that the town took the position that he would have to reverse the procedure, identifying his religious affiliation at the outset If Mr. Langan wishes to raise funds on the Town Square for the benefit of his religious organization he is free to do so," Larson wrote, "but he must, before he Extrication team pulls girl from crumpled automobile on its right side. Physician's Assistant Paul King stopped to assist the victims, Dieckman and Stephanie Harris, 18, also of Jackson, and was in the vehicle when the extrication team arrived, according to the report. Team members removed the back window of the hatchback, removed Harris via a backboard and carried her to The Teton County Extrication Team made its first rescue of the year Sunday at 11-40 p.m.

when a car driven by Christina Dieckman, 17, of Jackson went off Highway 89 a mile south of town. According to the team report, road conditions were slick when Dieckman's southbound Dodge sedan left the road, went over a steep embankment and slid to a stop at the base of the hill, ending up the highway, where she was transported by ambulance to St John's Hospital. Both women were treated by Dr. Brent Blue, who said neither of the two was wearing a seatbelt. "If they had (worn seatbelts), neither would have been injured," Blue said.

Harris and Dieckman were treated and released in fair condition, Blue said. WHY WHIT KM LONGER? INSULATE FROM THE COLD NOW! KfirM 4. INSULATING SHADES CHAMBER SEEKS NOMINATION FOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR The Jackson Hole Area Chamber of Commerce is extending the deadline for applications for Citizen of the Year until Friday, January 27, 1989. This award recognizes someone whose activities benefit the greatest number of people in the area or has made a singular accomplishment of significant benefit to Jackson Hole. This award will be announced at the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Banquet on Sunday, February 5, 1989.

Applications Available at the Chamber Office. 2 patterns 14 colors Call Today For A Free Estimate! Q) UXJLL, ENERGY SYSTEMS CONTRACTING Comer of Cache and Ketl? 733-5900.