How can something as prevalent, accepted, and accessible in our society as drinking alcohol be so harmful, unhealthy, AND illegal when consumed at or slightly above moderate intake levels? The simple asking of this question immediately uncovers a number of issues, one of which is the mixed messages that exist in our society about drinking alcohol.
Alcohol has become almost mainstream in our society today. It has made its way out of the local bars and pubs and is now found in an assortment of locations. Once you factor in the number of restaurants, sporting events, festival, county fairs, night clubs, hotels, casinos, the list goes on, you come to realize how accessible alcohol has become. Then adding in the convenience stores, liquor stores, package shops, and grocery stores, the places you might go to every day stand a good shot at legally selling bottles, cans, cases and even kegs of alcoholic beverages to adults.
The presence of alcohol is not just in its availability in where we shop or seek entertainment, but it is all around us in different forms. Unfortunately, many of these promote the idea the alcohol or drinking is "cool." Just turn on the television and watch for commercials. Beer companies spend huge amount in advertising, creating funny or sexy commercials that seem to be some of the most memorable. They do this not to entertain us, but to increase their sales. Think about the movie stars or professional athletes who lend their support by participating in advertising or even through their own actions. By casting alcohol as a glamorous or exciting lifestyle choice, we are sending out the wrong message that alcohol is "cool" or can make us "cool."
Alcohol is even present in ways and forms that we might not even realize or think of, Consider the religious rituals that make use of alcohol, cultural traditions that encourage drinking alcohol, special events and holidays that are associated with drinking alcohol, and the recipes calling for alcohol to enhanced flavor...when all of these are factored into the equation, it becomes obvious that alcohol is deeply woven into our society. The point is that when a person has alcohol constantly around them through events, traditions, holidays and advertisements, they become desensitized to the harmful effects alcohol carries. Instead alcohol becomes part of normal everyday life and alcohol can even be a means to "fit in" with peers.
If we are tolerant of alcohol by allowing its prevalence, acceptability, and accessibility, What is the flip side of the message? By the opposite viewpoint, alcohol is dangerous, unhealthy and illegal if consumed at or slightly above moderate levels. Take into consideration the numerous negative and harmful messages and statistics associated with alcohol abuse and drinking while driving that we have heard from the medical community, federal government, police, politicians, organizations such as MADD, and school and college administrators. It would make anyone ask why our society would be so accepting of the potential outcomes alcohol can bring.
The ability to intervene against alcohol use and abuse effectively becomes much more difficult when considering it's integration into our society. With the messages being mixed from our media to our culture, to is hard to discern the negative side of alcohol use itself. Many individuals, especially our youth do not see the harmful, unhealthy and sometimes deadly aspects of alcohol abuse.
The Influence of the Judicial System. Unfortunately, the judicial system and the ways in which it has dealt with alcohol-related offenses is another example of the mixed messages in our society about alcohol. For instance, until very recently, people who have received multiple DUIs have, in many instances, simply received a "slap on the wrist" for their alcohol-related behavior.
Fortunately, some states are becoming more reality and accountability-based and are making it a felony when a person receives his or her 4th DUI within a ten-year period. In Minnesota, for instance, this sentence includes three years in prison and a fine of not less than $14,000.00.
Jail time is not the only part of the "solution" for those committing alcohol related offenses. A prisoner is offered the ability to receive help for their alcoholism and without it being taken, the person has a much higher probability in returning to their negative behaviors. Once a sentence a served, the individual who has taken advantage of treatment programs is more likely to return to society a more responsible person, stop destructives behaviors such as drinking and driving, and therefore avoiding becoming a repeat offender.
Now there are those who will say that some consumption is alright so long as the individual practices "responsible behavior", but who defines what is responsible? One person may say that posting a sign at the beach warning of a strong undertow is practicing "responsible behavior." Another might argue that the sign is not enough, and that buoys should be put in place marking the furthest distance a swimmer should go out. Simply put, many believe that a warning is not enough, that actual deterrents must be enforced to practice "responsible behavior".
The education of our society on the health hazards, deaths and negative consequences of alcohol abuse are there but why don't they work? To make it work, we need to practice more "responsible behavior" by ending the ways in which alcohol is made "cool" from our media, available in so many places and ingrained into our lifestyles. We should in turn, place more emphasize on increasing the advertisements, commercials, and public service messages that support healthy and safe alcohol-free activities and lifestyles.
Find out more about this tried and tested support to help Stop Drinking Written by Ed Philips and Quit Alcohol In Just 21 Days
Comments on this entry are closed.