Don't fall victim to bad choices

To the editor:
What do you think the likelihood of making risky choices is?  If we all think that we are good drivers how is it that there are bad drivers?  In the same way we can trick ourselves when it comes to our choices about drugs and alcohol.  Glance at the news and we can see a variety of people who find themselves in unexpected circumstances.  According to www.ranker.com celebrities arrested in 2012 include Fionna Apple (Singer), Randy Travis (Singer), Adrian Peterson (NFL), Matthew Fox (“Lost” actor), Coolio (Rapper) & Kasey Kahl (“The Bachelorette”).   I’m sure that in each of these situations the people did not plan on being arrested or having problems.  
They likely thought “nothing will happen” to them or that they would be “careful” enough to avoid problems.  Of course, many people make high risk alcohol and drug choices believing that “nothing bad happened” in their opinion so they repeat those choices assuming that their choices are safe.  In actuality they are only increasing the likelihood of experiencing negative consequences in the future.  
When negative consequences do happen, those same people are likely to think, “It’s not that big of a deal” or “It’s just that one time.”  The most common dangerous assumption is believing that alcohol or drug use outside of safe guidelines is not risky (i.e. “Doctors’ prescribe it so it must be okay.”  “It’s just alcohol.” “It’s just marijuana.”  “It’s legal so it must be safe.”  “I’ll stop before it gets to be a problem.”).  No one plans on having problems or becoming addicted and yet we each probably know someone with alcohol/drug related problems.  Research indicates that low risk drinking choices consist of 1-2 drinks on a daily basis or no more than 3 drinks on a less than daily basis (Note:  1 drink = ½ ounce of pure alcohol – i.e. 12oz beer, 4oz wine or 1oz liquor).  Anything above this increases risk of health or impairment problems.  Of course, abstinence from drinking is also a low risk choice.  Aside from taking medications as prescribed, there are no low risk guidelines for drugs/medications and abstinence is the only low risk choice.  We will all benefit if we reduce the alcohol and drug risks in our lives.  Let’s not try to convince ourselves that there is “no problem” when high risk choices are made.
Nat Bryan
Jay County Drug
Prevention Coalition
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