THE PUBLIC MIND: ILLINOIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR URGES CITIZENS TO CONSIDER DANGERS OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

To the Editor:

All of us have heard and talked about the war on drugs in Illinois. We've heard about cocaine seizures, increased penalties for marijuana usage, the problem of crack and the resurgence of LSD. But we don't hear much about the number one drug of choice among our youth in Illinois alcohol.

Approximately 51 percent of junior and high school students use alcohol, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of those, 75 percent use it weekly and 28 percent "binge" (five or more drinks in a row) at least monthly. The binge drinkers average more than 13 beers per week. The result of such heavy drinking is a disturbing statistic: 50 percent of the deaths among 15- to 24-year-olds are attributed to alcohol.

As in most cases, children learn from adults. By 1995, alcohol-dependent adults will number 11.2 million. Until parents stop misusing alcohol and begin setting positive examples, children will continue to mimic their bad behavior.

Research shows that as many as 10.5 million Americans show signs of alcoholism or alcohol dependence. Alcoholism and related problems cost the nation an estimated $85.8 billion in 1988, $27.5 billion more than illicit use of drugs. In Illinois, our costs in lost productivity and mortality losses amount to $6.5 billion a year. Treatment costs alone for alcohol dependency amount to $760 million.

Only heart disease and cancer cause more deaths than alcohol-related problems. Many Americans have modified their diet and their behavior to prevent these diseases. They now must turn their attention toward alcohol and its effects on their health.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month in Illinois. Throughout this month, you will hear and read much about the problems resulting from the abuse of alcohol.

I encourage you to become familiar with the dangerous effects of alcohol abuse. It's my hope that parents across the state will take the time to discuss this with their children.

Other drugs may take more of the attention, but alcohol takes more lives.

~Bob Kustra

Illinois lieutenant governor

Springfield, Ill.