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To the editor:
A great deal has been said lately about the US “War on Drugs” but the discussion seldom includes our number-one drug problem which, as hard as it may be for many of us to admit, is alcohol. While no one can deny the catastrophic consequences of illegal drug use, we should not turn our eyes away from the toll exacted by a substance that is both legal and heavily marketed.
And what better time than April, Alochol Awareness Month, to examine the impact alochol consumption and abuse have on our community and our country.
The Seventh Special Report to the US Congress on Alochol and Health, released in February 1990, contained this startling information:
• Although US per capita consumption of alcohol is at its lowest level since 1970, alcohol is used by more Americans than any other drug, including tobacco. Even with the decline, this represents 29.8 gallons (approximately 318 12-oz cans) of beer; 3.0 gallons (77 5 oz. glasses) of wine and 2.1 gallons (179 1.5 oz. drinks of spirits) for each person age 14 and over.
• An estimated 10.5 million US adults exhibit some symptoms of alcoholism; an additional 7.2 million abuse alcohol, but do not show symptoms of dependence.
• Despite a downward trend in alcohol use by high school seniors — for whom alochol, like marijuana and
95.0%