July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Be aware of the risks of alcohol
Letters to the Editor
April has finally arrived with all of its anticipated improved weather and burst of color after months of gray skies and brown grass covered by ice and snow. April is also the National Alcohol Awareness Month (http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/aprilalcohol/).
Most people will say that they know that alcohol can be dangerous and yet we tend to think that the information applies to other people and not ourselves. Seventeen-year-old Matt James was a 190 pound highly recruited lineman who signed with Notre Dame.
A couple weeks ago he went to Panama City Beach, Florida for his spring break and did not return due to an alcohol related fall from a 5th floor balcony. Tragic; especially since the trip was reportedly chaperoned by parents. Even more tragic is that it was the second such incident in as many weeks at the Florida vacation spot. Such incidents can happen to anyone who makes high-risk choices, but it does not have to happen to anyone.
Despite our assumptions that we can simply "be careful" there are no guarantees of safety when a person is impaired by alcohol (or other drugs). Accidents already happen without the increased risk of alcohol (or other drugs) being involved.
Increased tolerance of alcohol only causes us to think that we are functioning better than we really are - it tricks into thinking, "I'm fine."
Spring break is now behind us but prom season is upon us and graduation parties are not far away. And yet, teenagers are not the only people at risk. Anyone can have and/or develop a problem with alcohol. Anyone in this town, in this county, in this state, in this country, in this world who makes high-risk choices is at risk.
Awareness is a powerful tool that can be used to prevent much trouble and heartache such as what Matt James' family and friends are dealing with as you read this.
As with any tool, awareness is only beneficial if we use it. April is National Alcohol Awareness month but we need to be aware of the risks of alcohol every month.
Have a talk with your family, friend, pastor or a counselor. It may save a life, maybe even your own!
Nat Bryan
Clinical Social Worker
Meridian Services
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
Most people will say that they know that alcohol can be dangerous and yet we tend to think that the information applies to other people and not ourselves. Seventeen-year-old Matt James was a 190 pound highly recruited lineman who signed with Notre Dame.
A couple weeks ago he went to Panama City Beach, Florida for his spring break and did not return due to an alcohol related fall from a 5th floor balcony. Tragic; especially since the trip was reportedly chaperoned by parents. Even more tragic is that it was the second such incident in as many weeks at the Florida vacation spot. Such incidents can happen to anyone who makes high-risk choices, but it does not have to happen to anyone.
Despite our assumptions that we can simply "be careful" there are no guarantees of safety when a person is impaired by alcohol (or other drugs). Accidents already happen without the increased risk of alcohol (or other drugs) being involved.
Increased tolerance of alcohol only causes us to think that we are functioning better than we really are - it tricks into thinking, "I'm fine."
Spring break is now behind us but prom season is upon us and graduation parties are not far away. And yet, teenagers are not the only people at risk. Anyone can have and/or develop a problem with alcohol. Anyone in this town, in this county, in this state, in this country, in this world who makes high-risk choices is at risk.
Awareness is a powerful tool that can be used to prevent much trouble and heartache such as what Matt James' family and friends are dealing with as you read this.
As with any tool, awareness is only beneficial if we use it. April is National Alcohol Awareness month but we need to be aware of the risks of alcohol every month.
Have a talk with your family, friend, pastor or a counselor. It may save a life, maybe even your own!
Nat Bryan
Clinical Social Worker
Meridian Services
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
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