Alcohol consumption has side effects as it permeates society at all levels. Where does it start? Parents who drink alcohol might imprint similar behavior on their children. More important are festering teenage years where hormones surge and interactions are awkward. Voila!…beer smothering inhibitions.
In high school, I went to parties without alcohol, although someone always tried to sneak in contraband. College was different. Newfound independence on campus openly brought out kegs. Fast forward to today where I don’t drink alcohol. Medical experience honed my judgement of detrimental effects from liver disease to disruptive psychologic behavior. Like cigarettes, I see alcohol as a gateway drug, leading to addiction while ruining lives and reputations.
Having a drink in-hand tailgating or at a get together is seen daily on TV and billboards. We are inculcated with advertisement approving alcohol use even when a drunk driver obliterates a family. Knowing what I know now, I would ban alcohol consumption on college campuses, and not allow commercials on TV or advertisements to contaminate the psyche, especially those who are young and susceptible.
Narrowing the gateway was done with cigarettes. This is not Prohibition, but it is the responsible thing to do.
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