| re are a large number of mixed messages that we | | | | organizations such as MADD, and school and college |
| receive in our society today. Everything from what we | | | | administrators. It would make anyone ask why our |
| eat, even to what we should wear changes from day | | | | society would be so accepting of the potential |
| to day in what is considered right or wrong. So why is | | | | outcomes alcohol can bring. |
| it when a message giving warning of something being | | | | If we continue to send out these mixed messages |
| harmful, unhealthy and even illegal is not only dismissed, | | | | about alcohol, we will battle as a result the probability |
| but the opposite message is promoted? The message | | | | that many people, especially our youth will have a |
| in question is that of drinking alcohol and the issues that | | | | much more difficult time to see the destructive, |
| it creates. | | | | unhealthy, and sometimes fatal aspects of alcohol |
| Alcohol has made its way over time out from just the | | | | abuse in a realistic light. By allowing alcohol to be such |
| taverns and bars from coast to coast. Once you also | | | | an interwoven thread in our society, we risk unraveling |
| factor in the number of restaurants, sporting events, | | | | the difference between what is right and wrong. |
| fairs and festivals, hotels, and night clubs, just to name | | | | Mixed messages have regrettably also been a part of |
| a few, alcoholic beverages have become a typical | | | | our own judicial system in the way it has handled |
| part of everyday choices. Liquor stores and package | | | | alcohol-related offenses. In the past, some repeat DUI |
| shops are not the exclusive venues any longer for | | | | offenders have continued to have their rights to the |
| purchases. Now with a simple trip to the grocery store, | | | | road receiving only a light sentence. Those committing |
| or at a stop to get gas at the local convenience store, | | | | crimes while under the influence, alcohol was seen as |
| an adult can make a legal purchase of anything from | | | | an explanation to their behavior. |
| cans to bottles, cases and in some locations even | | | | Fortunately, some states are becoming more reality |
| kegs of whatever alcoholic beverages they may | | | | and accountability-based and are making it a felony |
| want. | | | | when a person receives his or her 4th DUI within a |
| Is Drinking Alcohol Cool? Not only is alcohol extremely | | | | ten-year period. In Minnesota, for instance, this |
| accessible in our society but there are also a number | | | | sentence includes three years in prison and a fine of |
| of factors that reinforce the idea that drinking alcohol is | | | | not less than $14,000.00. |
| "cool." For instance, consider beer advertisements and | | | | Jail time itself is not the only solution to those with |
| commercials on TV. Indeed, it can be argued that | | | | alcohol issues. Unless the underlying need for drinking is |
| some of the most memorable, funniest, and "best" | | | | discovered and dealt with while being incarcerated, |
| commercials and advertisements on TV have been | | | | many will return to the same self destructive habits |
| those that were associated with drinking beer. To push | | | | once they are released. With alcohol intervention and |
| the point further, why would beer manufacturers | | | | treatment in jail, the individual is in a stable and |
| spend millions of dollars for a commercial during the | | | | environment with a positive success rate. Those who |
| Super Bowl if this expenditure did not lead to more | | | | have participated in a alcohol treatment program are |
| sales? From a slightly different perspective, consider | | | | more likely to return to society as a productive and |
| professional athletes and movie stars who, by their | | | | responsible person, ending their drinking and driving and |
| actions and advertisements, reinforce the idea that | | | | therefore avoiding becoming a repeat offender in the |
| drinking alcohol is "cool." | | | | system. |
| Religious Rituals and Cultural Traditions. When religious | | | | While there are those who preach "responsible |
| rituals that make use of alcohol, cultural traditions that | | | | behavior", who defines what is considered to be |
| encourage drinking alcohol, special events and holidays | | | | responsible? One person might say that posting a sign |
| that are associated with drinking alcohol, and the | | | | warning that the road comes to an end is exhibiting |
| increasing popularity of adding alcohol to food for | | | | "responsible behavior." The next person may say that |
| enhanced flavor--when all of these are factored into | | | | a sign is simply not enough, and the road should be |
| the equation, it becomes obvious that alcohol is deeply | | | | barricaded to prevent cars from traveling any further. |
| ingrained in our society. The point: when people are | | | | This example is basically saying that a warning is not |
| surrounded with alcohol and bombarded by events, | | | | enough, we must put preventative measures in place |
| traditions, holidays, and advertisements that are | | | | to prevent dangerous effects. |
| alcohol-related, it becomes part of their socialization | | | | So why if as a whole, we say we know of the |
| process that in turn makes it easier to simply accept | | | | dangerous consequences of alcohol do we as a |
| that they should drink alcohol if they are to "fit in" and | | | | society have such an acceptance of it in our lives? |
| become members of our society. | | | | Considering the health hazards and dangers including |
| If we are tolerant of alcohol by allowing its prevalence, | | | | death, we should practice "responsible behavior" at the |
| acceptability, and accessibility, What is the flip side of | | | | next level. Warnings have not stopped alcohol usage, |
| the message? By the opposite viewpoint, alcohol is | | | | so we need to create other deterrents in addition to |
| dangerous, unhealthy and illegal if consumed at or | | | | the ones currently in place. We as a society can |
| slightly above moderate levels. Take into consideration | | | | choose not to glamorize alcohol, in turn making it less |
| the numerous negative and harmful messages and | | | | "cool." We can say no to advertisements and |
| statistics associated with alcohol abuse and drinking | | | | commercials promoting alcohol usage. The message |
| while driving that we have heard from the medical | | | | can be sent out emphasizing and supporting a healthy |
| community, federal government, police, politicians, | | | | and safe lifestyle free from the use of alcohol. |