Pubdate: Tue, 02 Mar 2004
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2004 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.captimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Author: David Brown

STATE NEEDS TO TAKE ALCOHOL PROBLEMS MORE SERIOUSLY

Dear Editor: Recent events again reveal the lack of courage public 
officials have when it comes to consistency in the area of alcohol and 
other drugs. The laws and political leadership continue to treat alcohol as 
if it were almost harmless relative to substances with similar effects.

On the one hand, we have the state Legislature looking to increase the jail 
time for possession of Ecstasy on the argument that it will better the 
user's chances of getting treatment. It will more likely scare Ecstasy 
users from seeking medical help when needed.

On the other hand, when Attorney General Lautenschlager is caught driving 
drunk she is lauded for her gracious apology and declines to resign, even 
though her high-profile example is more of a threat to public health and 
safety than 10 Ecstasy users.

Let's be clear. Alcohol is a drug. People drink it to get high -- just like 
pot smokers, heroin shooters or crack users. And while this may come as a 
shock to some, selecting alcohol as your drug of choice does not give you 
some kind of moral high ground.

Alcohol is a drug with serious potential for misuse, abuse and dependence. 
Dangerous misuse includes occasional binge drinking and driving while under 
the influence. Both are common practices even among those claiming to be 
responsible citizens.

Alcohol is the single drug resulting in the most extensive public safety 
and health problems for the Wisconsin population. Not marijuana. Not 
cocaine. Not heroin. Not Ecstasy. If you doubt this fact, go talk to ER 
nurses and physicians in any Wisconsin hospital.

Yet, when it comes to alcohol misuse -- especially by those with higher 
status -- our response falls somewhere between bemusement and tolerance. 
This sends the most powerful message imaginable to young people about the 
legitimacy of drug misuse.

David Brown, research fellow, UW-Madison Dept. of Family Medicine 
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MAP posted-by: Perry Stripling