Overage drinking a problem too
I’m writing in response to the excellent commentary by Nancy Glad RN titled “Underage Drinking Must Be Addressed.”
I congratulate Nancy for speaking out. May I add that any serious attempt to reduce underage drinking will only occur once we deal with overage drinking.
Children learn from their parents and other adults not by what we say but by what we do.
Nancy properly attacks the stupidity of parents who supply their children with alcohol. However, nothing anyone does to convince teenagers not to drink will have any great impact until adults begin to realize how addicted the adults themselves are to alcohol. And the horrible example we are setting for the kids. The problem isn’t the kids, it’s us!
When adults have a party, they drink. Go to a sporting event, people drink. Some church festivals wouldn’t be complete without the beer tent. Go to the county fair, and there’s more beer.
Cookouts at home are not complete without beer or mixed drinks. Celebrations like weddings “require” alcohol. Adults tell kids that when they “come of age” the rite of passage is to get smashed. The holidays are coming, so now we have another excuse to feed our alcohol addiction.
Meanwhile, the kids are watching and learning and forming habits, thanks to our wonderful example.
Why are we surprised when kids drink or worse yet, drink and drive. Many adults do the same thing? I once interviewed a spokesperson from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She said judges are lenient with drunk drivers simply because judges drink and drive, too.
Why are we adults so insecure, depressed, discouraged or unable to enjoy life without needing to alter our minds with alcohol or drugs to “relax” or “have a good time” or be more “creative” or more “confident,” or “sexier.”
What is lacking in our personality that mind altering substances are “required” for us to get through the day or weekend?
Ever wonder why you hear so little from public officials and the medical community attacking alcohol but lots of efforts attacking smoking?
It’s simple. They drink, but they don’t smoke. We have a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board that is mostly a Liquor Promotion Board. The LCB’S success is measured by the amount of liquor taxes they generate for the state, which is, of course, based on the amount of alcohol they push through our state stores.
How many kids and adults must die or otherwise suffer from alcohol related accidents, illnesses, abuse or neglect before the United States begins a serious discussion about the massive problems caused by alcohol and other drugs?
The health cost related to alcohol and drugs runs into the hundreds of billions of dollars. And it isn’t getting any better.
We need to talk to our kids about alcohol and drugs. But, more importantly we need to demonstrate by our actions that it is possible to live one’s life quite successfully and happily without relying on some mind altering substance.
Bob Logue is a resident of Fairbank.