Commentary on Current Alcohol & Drug News

Study Finds Sports Stadiums Serve Alcohol to Intoxicated, Underage Fans An undercover operation conducted as part of research sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Substance Abuse Prevention and Research Program found that operatives who appeared underage or obviously intoxicated had a relatively easy time purchasing alcohol at professional sports events. - Join Together News

I get asked by clients why people are not informed sooner of the dangers of alcohol use in this country. Many learn about the dangerous health consequences much too late, usually in a treatment program when facing severe consequences in their lives, rather than in middle school when early education may have preventative benefits. Alcohol is a very popular and lucrative commodity and many businesses would lose big profits if people were educated about the toxic effects of alcohol on their brains.

Sporting events are notorious for bringing out obnoxious drinking behaviors in people who spill their beers and shout obscenities at players on the field. Now underage illegal users of alcohol have a ready playing field themselves, blending into the adult crowd, and purchasing alcohol undetected.

How many businesses would forego a guaranteed sale of their products? Unless there are strict monetary and legal consequences and a way to actively enforce the rules to keep proprietors accountable, underage drinking is likely to continue.
-Carolyn Walstein, Group Counselor, Lasting Recovery.