ALCAP reports presence in schools, urges Baptists’ help on legislation

Last year, the Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) sponsored 28 speakers who gave 2,194 presentations in 672 Alabama schools. 
   
According to the Book of Reports, eight different educational modules were used to reach 118,997 students “with the message of total abstinence and a positive, healthy, drug-free lifestyle.”
   
With a number of additional speakers added recently, Bill Day, director of ALCAP’s educational program who leads the drug education effort, issued a plea for even more people to go into the schools as trained presenters for ALCAP. 
   
“Why is it that we need so many people?” Day asked. “Drugs and violence. We had a teacher killed here in Alabama recently, with a similar event in Tennessee and one in Kentucky. This is at the top of everyone’s awareness, and we need someone to make a difference.” 
   
He cited additional needs in teaching anger management, bullying and character education. 
   
“There are so many expenses, so many needs,” Day said, “We may not be able to meet all the requests for help.”
   
Shifting to legislative matters, Dan Ireland, ALCAP executive director, asked messengers for help on three issues. 
   
The Sanctity of Marriage Amendment will be on the ballot across the state June 6.
   
“This bill will define marriage as between one man and one woman. No other will be recognized, whether it took place in Alabama or someplace else,” Ireland said.
   
Eighteen states have recently passed the amendment, according to him.
   
Another issue is the proposal to raise the alcohol content in beer from 6 to 15 percent.
   
“This is a red flag for Alabama teenagers because they are the ones buying beer,” he warned.
   
Ireland asked Alabama Baptists to call their representatives about the proposed legislation. 
   
“The only leverage I have in the Legislature is that the people back home have contacted them,” he said.
   
Finally Ireland cited a letter he has written to U.S. senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, asking them not to support a pending bill that would add sexual orientation to the list of categories for hate crimes. 
   
“That means if you were to preach against homosexuality, you could be charged with a hate crime,” Ireland said. “Most crimes are hate crimes. I don’t see any need for delineating.”
   
He reiterated Day’s plea for support from Alabama Baptist churches and individuals. “We work in disaster constantly. Now we need some relief.”