Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Health Ministry

April 2004 - Alcohol Awareness

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) is focusing on underage drinking.  Alcohol is a drug, the drug of choice among our youth and is a factor in the leading causes of death among persons 10-24 years.

Alcohol can affect judgment, coordination and long-term health; and research suggests that early use of alcohol by teenagers may contribute significantly to dependence on alcohol or other drugs later in life. 40% of children who begin using alcohol before the age of 13 become alcoholic.⁽¹⁾  Binge drinking, 4 drinks for a woman or 5 drinks for a man in one setting is of concern on college campuses.  Also, students miss classes and fall behind in school work. They are also breaking the law if they are under 21.  National research has linked college drinking to 1400 annual student deaths, 600,000 assaults and 500,000 accidental injuries. And, females who attend colleges with a higher rate of binge drinking are more likely to be raped while being too intoxicated to say "No".⁽²⁾  Stacie Murphy, President, NCADD, states "As a society, we have to do a better job persuading our citizens and young people that alcohol use is a dead end, that they are playing Russian Roulette, not only with their own lives, but with the lives of their friends, neighbors and loved one".⁽¹⁾

"Save a Life- End Underage Drinking" is the theme for Alcohol Awareness Month 2004.  It will begin with Alcohol Free Weekend April 2-4 when NCADD and it affiliates and others across the country will sponsor youth-planned and youth-run alcohol-free events.  Throughout the month, adults and youth are encouraged to learn more about alcoholism and its early symptoms. (www.ncadd.com).⁽¹⁾

Websites for info:

Parents: www.theantidrug.com or www.laantidroga.com (Spanish)

Youth: www.freevibe.com

Faith Community: www.theantidrug.com/faith

Community prevention: www.helpyourcommunity.org.

References:

(1) NCADD Press Release, Jan 13, 04

(2) Harvard School of Public Health

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