Ellen Campbell-Grizzle
PEOPLE WHO knew Little Hope said that she was just like her mother. They had similar personalities and facial expressions. Both were outgoing and had a big circle of friends. At age 20, three years ago, Little Hope was preparing to take up her first job after completing university when tragedy struck. She was on her way to pick up her mother from work one Friday evening, she veered right on her green light when a very tipsy Al Cohall, who had started his 'Thank God It's Friday' celebrations early, drove straight through the red light and snuffed out the life of Little Hope. Her senseless death is just one example of the tragedy caused by driving while drunk.
Alcohol use far exceeds the use of any other addictive substance. A pilot study, in 2000, conducted in two parishes in Jamaica on drug-related traffic accidents, found evidence of alcohol intake in 77.5 per cent of the fatalities among which 35.5 per cent had alcohol levels above the legally accepted limit of less than 35mcg per 100mL of blood.
Another study done in 2001, with support from the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), revealed that 49 per cent of the students sampled, felt that consuming four to five alcoholic drinks per day posed no risk to moderate risk. Many people assume that alcohol consumption is harmless while others succumb to the magnetism of very powerful advertising campaigns.
People use alcohol for various reasons. Some shy persons state that drinking alcohol loosens them up. They will also tell you that frequently, they end up making fools of themselves and doing things that they regret. This happens because alcohol blocks the messages going to the brain and alters perceptions, emotions, vision, hearing and coordination. Alcohol can give you bad breath, affect body odour and is calorie rich.
Long-term effects include loss of appetite, vitamin deficiencies, stomach ailments, sexual impotence, liver, heart and central nervous system damage. Alcoholics also experience memory loss.
FROM DR JEKYL TO MR HYDE
Experts say that you have a drinking problem if you cannot control your alcohol intake and wind up drunk regardless of what you decide beforehand. You should seek help if your drinking changes your personality from a reserved character into the 'life of the party', or from Dr. Jekyl to Mr. Hyde. You have a problem if:
You use alcohol to escape difficult problems.
Can drink just about everybody under the table.
Have blackouts during drinking bouts.
Your friends and family express concern about your drinking.
HELP YOUR FRIENDS
Remember, people who suffer from alcoholism are sick. You can help by listening to them and, only during those times when they are sober, voice your concern about the impact that alcohol is having on their lives. Avoid being judgmental. Offer to support your friend's initiative to seek help.
Here some important tips from the NCDA
Get the facts about alcohol content in your drinks and count your drinks.
Stay informed. Some wine coolers look like ordinary juices but may contain as much alcohol as a bottle of beer.
Be aware of the risks associated with alcohol use, including accidents, drowning or interaction with medicines.
Keep your edge as alcohol can ruin your looks and ability to function effectively.
Be a real friend and urge your friend with a drinking problem to get help.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle is president of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, and director of Information & Research, National Council on Drug Abuse. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
