ALCAP celebrates 75 years of ‘fighting back,’ heading off problems in society

When Joe Godfrey left the state convention annual meeting Wednesday afternoon, he drove across town to fight an attempt to loosen drug laws in the state.

“There has been a bill filed to legalize medicinal marijuana in Alabama,” he said. “I’ve been asked to speak at the hearing. This is where it begins — they aim to keep pushing until they get what they want.”

Fighting back is what Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) has been doing for 75 years, ever since it began in 1937 as Alabama Temperance Alliance, said Godfrey, ALCAP executive director.

ALCAP celebrated its 75th anniversary during the state convention annual meeting Nov. 13 and was given a plaque by the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission during the State Board of Missions meeting Nov. 12.

“I want to share my gratitude for all who have been involved with ALCAP over the years,” Godfrey said during his report to convention messengers. “We are your missionaries to the government.”

According to the Book of Reports, legislators found time to pass many alcohol-liberalization bills introduced but “ran out of time” to pass most of the pro-life bills during the 2012 regular session.

But ALCAP did gain some victories. Bills broadening the sale of farm wines and home-brews failed to pass. A bill passed allowing Alabama to opt out of the abortion mandate in Congress’ Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act. A law was enacted making the production of meth more difficult in the state. 

And on a school level, ALCAP’s partner ministry American Character Builders continues to teach middle school and high school students to say no to meth, marijuana and cocaine and addresses the issues of alcohol, tobacco and bullying, Godfrey said.

“Folks, we are here to help through American Character Builders,” he said. “Where we have the wonderful ministry of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries picking up the pieces of broken lives and broken homes, [ALCAP] is trying to head it off on the front end.”

For more information, visit alcap.com or americancharacterbuilders.org.

(TAB)