Margaret Haerens - Alcohol

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Alcohol / Margaret Haerens, book editor. p. cm. -- (Global viewpoints) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7377-5642-5 (hbk.) -- ISBN 978-0-7377-5643-2 (pbk.) 1. Drinking of alcoholic beverages. 2. Alcoholism--Social aspects. I. Haerens, Margaret. HV5035.A42 2012 362.292--dc23

2011047671

Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 15 14 13 12

1. Global Trends in Alcohol Consumptio
   World Health Organization
   Alcohol consumption is a major health problem in manyparts of the world, yet programs to address the issue remaina low priority in public policy. Heavy episodicdrinking is particularly dangerous and has consequencesnot just for the individual, but for society.

2. Kenya Deems Alcohol Abusea National Disgrace
   Irene Mwivano
   Cheap legal liquor and illegal alcoholic beverages arecontributing to substance abuse rates in Kenya. Healthand government officials have urged the president to designatealcohol and drug abuse a national emergency

3. In Australia Has a Severe Alcohol Abuse Problem
   Nick Crofts
   Alcohol abuse is one of Australias most serious problems, yet it is not being adequately addressed because alcoholconsumption is integral to Australian culture. TheAustralian government needs to take meaningful measuresto curb alcoholism and its effects.

4. Turkeys Strong Tradition of DrinkingHas Aroused Concerns About Abuse
   Fazile Zahir
   There is a long tradition of drinking alcohol in Turkey. Arecent study by the Green Crescent organization bemoansthe tradition and asserts that it is responsible for a varietyof Turkeys problems. Critics of the report point outthat the rate of alcohol consumption in Turkey is moderatecompared to most European countries.

5. European Youths Are Starting to Drink MoreLike Young People in the United States
   Christopher Sopher
   Young people in Europe are doing more binge drinkingand drinking alcohol more frequently than Americans.The belief that a lower drinking age in Europe makesyoung people more responsible drinkers is a mythitjust allows them to drink at a younger age.

6. Alcohol Blamed for Half of 90s Russian Deaths
   Associated Press
   Alcohol consumption in Russia, and deaths attributed todrinking, dramatically increased after the collapse of theSoviet Union and the relaxation of restrictive regulationson the sale of alcohol. Poverty and social and politicalinstability, along with the cultural role vodka plays inRussian society, were central factors in the spike of alcoholismin Russia in the 1990s.

1. Global Attempts to Prevent Alcohol AbuseHave Had Limited Success
   World Health Organization
   Alcohol abuse has a serious effect on public health incountries all over the world. The development and implementationof a global strategy to address the problem ofalcoholism aims to raise awareness of the problem, securecommitments from governments to fight it, and applyand monitor programs and policies that have hadsome success in the battle against alcohol abuse.

2. The United States Should LowerIts Drinking Age
   John M. McCardell Jr.
   The prevailing belief that the drinking age in the UnitedStates works is a myth. A shocking number of underagedrinkers are developing unhealthy relationships with alcohol.The drinking age should be lowered to eighteen sothat young adults can learn to make responsible drinkingdecisions in the public eye, not in clandestine locations.

3. First Nations Communities in CanadaAre Considering Alcohol Bans
   Christine Sismondo and Simon Beggs
   When First Nations were finally allowed selfdetermination, many communities prohibited alcohol onreservations. While some maintain that alcohol bans justpush the problem of alcoholism underground, otherscontend that bans decrease the rates of alcoholism andare only one step in a more comprehensive alcohol awarenessplan.

4. Scotland Must Take Drastic Action to AddressIts Alcohol Culture
   Pete Martin
   Something must be done about Scotlands rowdy drinkingculture, which results in violent and antisocial behaviorthat is largely tolerated in Scottish society. Prohibitingalcohol on public transport and making strong alcoholicdrinks less accessible are two suggestions.

5. Germany Turns to Drinking Rooms to AddressPublic Drunkenness
   Eric Kelsey
   German officials are tiring of scenes of public intoxicationand are proposing changes to the nations liberalpublic drinking laws. One policy under consideration isdrinking rooms, where drinkers can bring their own beeror wine to drink inside instead of congregating in publicplaces.

6. Russias Attempts to Curb Vodka ConsumptionDo Not Address the Root of the Problem
   Kate Transchel
   A recent law that raised the minimum price of vodka inRussia to prevent alcohol abuse and curb black marketsales was well intentioned but ineffective. Russian officialsneed to confront the pervasive Russian drinkingculture through a long, expensive process of alcohol educationand behavioral change.

7. The British Should Not Allow AlcoholCompanies in Health Policy Talks
   Anna Gilmore and Jeff Collin
   A recent law that raised the minimum price of vodka inRussia to prevent alcohol abuse and curb black marketsales was well intentioned but ineffective. Russian officialsneed to confront the pervasive Russian drinkingculture through a long, expensive process of alcohol educationand behavioral change.