Alcohol Awareness Activities

An issue of conflicting messages

How can something as prevalent, accepted, and accessible in our society that alcohol is so dangerous, unhealthy and illegal when consumed at or slightly above moderate intake levels? The application of this simple question immediately raises a number of issues, one of which is the mixed messages that exist in our society about alcohol.

The accessibility and acceptability of alcohol

First, consider the thousands and thousands of bars and taverns in the United States. Now add to this list the restaurants, nightclubs, sporting events, festivals, fairs, state, hotels, casinos, carnivals, etc. where alcoholic beverages are regularly served. In addition, add the grocery stores, liquor stores, beverage stores, the Convenient Food Mart, 7 / 11 stores, and stores state in which an adult can legally purchase as many bottles, cans, and / or cases of alcoholic beverages as he or she desires.

Is Cool drinking?

Not only is alcohol extremely accessible in our society, but there are also a number of factors that reinforce the idea that drinking is cool. For example, consider the advertising of beer and television commercials. Indeed, one can argue that some of the most memorable, funny, and "best" commercials and advertisements on television were those associated with the consumption of beer. To push the point further, why brewers spend millions of dollars for advertising during the Super Bowl if the expenditure does not lead to more sales? From a slightly different perspective, consider professional athletes and movie celebrities who, through their actions and advertisements, to reinforce the idea that drinking is cool.

Religious rites and cultural traditions

When the religious rituals that make use of alcohol, cultural traditions that encourage alcohol consumption, special events and holidays that are associated with alcohol consumption, and the increasing popularity of adding alcohol to food to taste better - when all these elements are factored into the equation, it becomes obvious that alcohol is deeply ingrained in our society. The point: when people are surrounded by alcohol and bombarded by events, traditions, holidays, and advertisements that are alcohol related, it becomes part of their socialization process which, in turn, it is easier to simply accept that they have to drink alcohol if they are to "integrate" and become members of our society.



Alcohol Drinking and driving

If the prevalence, acceptability and accessibility of alcohol represent one side of the coin regarding the mixed messages our society, dangerousness, unhealthiness, and illegality is another. Indeed, consider the many negative and harmful messages and statistics associated with alcohol abuse and drinking while driving as we heard from the medical community, the federal government, police, politicians, organizations such as MADD , and school and college administrators.

Mixed Messages and their consequences

When something like alcohol is so deeply embedded in the fabric of our society, it becomes extremely difficult to significantly change its use and abuse in a comprehensive and beneficial. I contend that one consequence of conflicting messages about alcohol use and abuse in our society that it becomes extremely difficult for many people, especially our youth, to realistically see the destructive aspects unhealthy, and sometimes deadly abuse of alcohol.

The influence of the judiciary

Unfortunately, the judicial system and how it was before the breaches related to alcohol is another example of mixed messages in our way.