| An Issue of Mixed Messages | | | | extremely difficult to significantly alter its use and |
| How can something as prevalent, accepted, and | | | | abuse in a comprehensive and beneficial manner. I |
| accessible in our society as drinking alcohol be so | | | | assert that one of the consequences of the mixed |
| harmful, unhealthy, AND illegal when consumed at or | | | | messages about alcohol use and abuse in our society |
| slightly above moderate intake levels? The simple | | | | it that it becomes extremely difficult for many |
| asking of this question immediately uncovers a | | | | individuals, especially our youth, to realistically see the |
| number of issues, one of which is the mixed | | | | destructive, unhealthy, and sometimes fatal aspects |
| messages that exist in our society about drinking | | | | of alcohol abuse. |
| alcohol. | | | | The Influence of the Judicial System |
| The Accessibility and Acceptability of Alcohol | | | | Unfortunately, the judicial system and the ways in |
| On the one hand, consider the thousands upon | | | | which it has dealt with alcohol-related offenses is |
| thousands of bars and taverns in the United States. | | | | another example of the mixed messages in our |
| Now add to this list the restaurants, night clubs, | | | | society about alcohol. For instance, until very recently, |
| sporting events, festivals, state fairs, hotels, casinos, | | | | people who have received multiple DUIs have, in |
| carnivals, etc. where alcoholic beverages are regularly | | | | many instances, simply received a "slap on the wrist" |
| served. Moreover, add the grocery stores, liquor | | | | for their alcohol-related behavior. |
| stores, beverage stores, the Convenient Food Marts, | | | | Fortunately, some states are becoming more reality |
| the 7/11 stores, and the state stores where an adult | | | | and accountability-based and are making it a felony |
| can legally purchase as many bottles, cans, and/or | | | | when a person receives his or her 4th DUI within a |
| cases of alcoholic beverages as he or she desires. | | | | ten-year period. In Minnesota, for instance, this |
| Is Drinking Alcohol Cool? | | | | sentence includes three years in prison and a fine of |
| Not only is alcohol extremely accessible in our society | | | | not less than $14,000.00. |
| but there are also a number of factors that reinforce | | | | Incarceration AND Treatment |
| the idea that drinking alcohol is "cool." For instance, | | | | Sending people to jail for alcohol-related offenses, |
| consider beer advertisements and commercials on | | | | however, is not a viable "solution" unless the person |
| TV. Indeed, it can be argued that some of the most | | | | receives help for his or her alcohol problem while |
| memorable, funniest, and "best" commercials and | | | | incarcerated. True, the offending person is "off the |
| advertisements on TV have been those that were | | | | streets" while incarcerated. When the jail or prison |
| associated with drinking beer. To push the point | | | | sentence is completed, however, a person who has |
| further, why would beer manufacturers spend millions | | | | received alcoholism treatment while incarcerated is |
| of dollars for a commercial during the Super Bowl if | | | | more likely to become a responsible person who |
| this expenditure did not lead to more sales? From a | | | | doesn't continue to drink while driving and less likely |
| slightly different perspective, consider professional | | | | to become a repeat offender. |
| athletes and movie stars who, by their actions and | | | | Responsible Behavior |
| advertisements, reinforce the idea that drinking | | | | I am not necessarily disagreeing with those who |
| alcohol is "cool." | | | | preach "responsible behavior" regarding drinking. The |
| Religious Rituals and Cultural Traditions | | | | bottom line, however, is one's definition of |
| When religious rituals that make use of alcohol, | | | | "responsible behavior." Let me explain. Let's say that I |
| cultural traditions that encourage drinking alcohol, | | | | have a lake that is used for swimming and that for |
| special events and holidays that are associated with | | | | whatever reason, hundreds of snapping turtles have |
| drinking alcohol, and the increasing popularity of | | | | populated this lake. Some people may say that |
| adding alcohol to food for enhanced flavor--when all | | | | "responsible behavior" in this example consists of |
| of these are factored into the equation, it becomes | | | | warning all swimmers about the turtles and telling |
| obvious that alcohol is deeply ingrained in our society. | | | | them to "be careful" while swimming. Others with a |
| The point: when people are surrounded with alcohol | | | | different point of view, however, might say that |
| and bombarded by events, traditions, holidays, and | | | | "responsible behavior" in this instance means warning |
| advertisements that are alcohol-related, it becomes | | | | the swimmers about the turtles, telling them to be |
| part of their socialization process that in turn makes it | | | | careful while swimming, AND, at the same time, |
| easier to simply accept that they should drink alcohol | | | | significantly reducing the turtle population so that |
| if they are to "fit in" and become members of our | | | | there is less chance that the swimmers will get bit. |
| society. | | | | What Can Be Done? |
| Alcohol Abuse and Drinking While Driving | | | | If our society is more enlightened and more aware |
| If the prevalence, acceptability, and accessibility of | | | | of the health hazards, fatalities, and destructive |
| alcohol represent the one side of the coin regarding | | | | consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, then |
| the mixed messages in our society, then the | | | | why don't we practice "responsible behavior" and |
| dangerousness, unhealthiness, and illegality represents | | | | make alcohol less available, less advertised, less |
| the other. Indeed, consider the numerous negative | | | | glamorized, and less "cool" while at the same time |
| and harmful messages and statistics associated with | | | | increasing the advertisements, commercials, and public |
| alcohol abuse and drinking while driving that we have | | | | service messages that emphasize healthy and safe |
| heard from the medical community, federal | | | | alcohol-free activities and lifestyles? |
| government, police, politicians, organizations such as | | | | Copyright 2007 - Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved |
| MADD, and school and college administrators. | | | | Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article |
| Mixed Messages and Their Consequences | | | | as long as you leave all of the links active, do not |
| When something like alcohol use is so intimately | | | | edit the article in any way, and give the author credit. |
| ingrained in the fabric of our society, it becomes | | | | |