Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
Letter: Nancy Richardson
Alcoholism can be halted
Friday, April 6, 2012
I too applaud Martinsville Hospital for becoming a smoke-free campus. I am a longtime former smoker (quitting in 1971). My question is this: When are we going to do something about alcoholism?
We have more highway deaths and violent crimes caused by alcohol than anything else. Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths annually, making it the third leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States after tobacco and diet/activity patterns. We have lost many young people in accidents close to my home due to alcohol.
Alcoholism is considered a disease as well, but we still have commercials on TV promoting drinking as well as ads in magazines and billboards making it seem prosperous and highly acceptable to drink. I myself would rather meet a smoking driver on the highway than a drinking one.
Alcoholism not only causes deaths, but look at all of the health issues that go along with drinking and the added health care and insurance costs. Many alcoholics exhibit swollen and tender livers. The prolonged use of large amounts of alcohol without adequate diet may cause serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis of the liver. Alcoholism also causes loss of muscular control. Our government doesn’t want to stop the sale of alcohol. Instead, it is promoting it. It’s a disease that can be stopped if our leaders wanted to put an end to it.
Nancy Richardson
Collinsville
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