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St. Cloud State University
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Commentary
Alcohol consumption about “keeping it in balance”
Published:
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Alcohol Awareness Week is a time for everyone to reflect on alcohol consumption and how it affects our lives.
This does not mean “How can I push my drinking limits even farther this weekend?” It also does not mean “Alcohol is bad and you should never drink it.” The theme of Alcohol Awareness week this year is “Keep it in Balance.” It’s a well-said theme.
We are almost constantly reminded of the tragic effects of alcohol in excess. The mangled car on Atwood Mall claimed the life of a 19-year-old man — a college freshman — because he chose to drive drunk. Crosses near the Education Building remind us how many Minnesotans die each year due to alcohol-related causes. Women are assaulted and even raped because they and/or their assailants have had too much to drink.
But it is equally extreme to take the attitude that alcohol is evil and should be banned from society. For most SCSU students, the weekend is a time to relax and there’s no better way to do it than at a bar, having a few drinks with friends. Even PESS 122, the fitness/health class that every SCSU student is required to take, points out that one or two drinks a day can help people stay healthy and live longer.
The key to the whole issue of alcohol is to DRINK RESPONSIBLY. What fun is there in getting so drunk you spend half the night throwing up, and feeling awful the next day?
Students who participate in such a ritual, listen up. Your moderate drinking counterparts have it figured out; they can have a good time and enjoy drinking without making it into something bad.
When people drink responsibility, they have more fun and less to worry about, whether it’s getting sick, being assaulted or driving while intoxicated.
Above all else: DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Please, for the safety of yourself and everyone on the road, plan ahead and designate a sober driver.
Best wishes to the SCSU community for a year of drinking responsibly, thinking smart, being safe and “keeping it in balance.”
