Alcohol poisoning claims many
Universal Press Syndicate (2/24/92)

Dear Abby: In January you printed a letter from "Arizona Grandmother," who expressed her concern at hearing of the death of a 21-year-old University of FL junior who died as the result of consuming 23 shots of liquor. You hoped that some reader might tell you the "rest of the story." Well, here it is:

There are between 200 and 400 alcohol-poisoning deaths annually in the U.S. Nearly all the victims are children and adolescents. Often these tragedies result from "chug-alug" contests, where kids compete to see who can down the most alcohol in the shortest time.

Rapid drinking, particularly in large amounts, is one of the most dangerous ways to consume alcohol. It is almost certain to induce severe illness, coma or death. Anyone who indulges in this kind of drinking needs immediate medical attention.

Some young people might experiment with other drugs, but it's doubtful that minors would engage in contests to see who could consume the largest quantity of any other drug in the least amount of time. Nor are adults likely to endorse such obviously dangerous and illegal behavior.

Concerned readers like "Arizona Grandmother" can help to prevent future tragedies by telling young people that alcohol is a drug. Adults 21 and older who choose to drink should limit their consumption to no more than one drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men. This is based on the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" published by the U.S. DHHS and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Underage youths should drink no alcohol.

Thank you, Abby, for your longstanding commitment to discourage drinking by those under 21.

Elaine M. Johnson, Ph.D.
Director, Office for Substance Abuse & Prevention
U.S. PHS