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Volume 26, Issue 2 | Summer 2006
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In this issue:
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A New Focus on AlcoholCunning, baffling and powerful. So the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous describes alcohol. It is baffling partly because it is everywhere. Its ubiquity lulls us into forgetfulness. Both addiction agencies and governments seem almost to have forgotten alcohol for several years, while the media drew our attention to the drug of the moment. It is cunning because it can also improve both social and physical well-being. But its misuse can lead to horrendous consequences, and there are many more ways to misuse it than to use it well and beneficially. It makes sense, then, to emphasize the hazards rather than the rewards of use. This issue of Developments discusses both benefits and risks of alcohol use, but openly emphasizes the risks. |
Alcohol: Health Benefits and RisksHow can a potent drug that kills nearly two million people worldwide each year be good for you? Alcohol does have some health benefits, which have been widely publicized. But the benefits are limited and apply to only some people and some consumption patterns. Even moderate drinking carries risks for some people. Balancing alcohol's health benefits against its costs to society is more complex than popular media reports can convey. The Cost of Alcohol Abuse to SocietyIt is a cost no one likes to think about. What is a human life worth? How many dollars is it worth to a family if their teenaged daughter dies from alcohol poisoning? How much does a child really lose when neglected by a parent who is alcohol dependent? If a person dies in an accident caused by drunk driving, how much does society lose from their absence? Alcohol Returns to the SpotlightAlcohol is always high on the agenda for addictions counsellors and police officers, but Canada's upcoming National Alcohol Strategy is a sign that it's now also becoming a top priority for policy makers. That's welcome news to people like Leonard Blumenthal. As a former CEO of AADAC and current chair of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous for Canada and the United States, Blumenthal is very much aware of the "dangerous complacency" with which society has tended to view alcohol-related problems. The Back PageOn The Back Page of Developments you can read about conferences, learning opportunities, special events, and recommended AADAC resources (always good and sometimes extraordinary value). If you want to advertise on The Back Page, contact the editor of Developments for rates and deadlines. |
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