Alcohol Awareness Month - April 2014

DALLAS, TX, March 31, 2014 (Press-News.org) The problem of alcohol abuse is a very real one, and one of which the public needs to become more aware. Beginning in 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). began sponsoring Alcohol Awareness Month in an effort to better-educate the public on the matter, while also helping reduce the stigma that is attached to alcoholism. The NCADD also makes it part of their efforts to encourage local communities to take an active role in their efforts to create public awareness of alcoholism and other issues related to alcohol.

The 2014 Campaign
In the campaign for this April, NCADD will highlight the importance of public awareness as it relates to underage drinking - an ongoing problem that has the ability to create many devastating consequences for the individual, families, and within the community. This year's theme is "Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow." This campaign will focus on both local and national events that are designed to help educate the public in the very important areas of prevention and treatment of alcoholism. In addition, schools, churches, colleges, and a variety of community organizations will take time out to sponsor a variety of activities that will create an awareness of alcoholism and encourage individuals and families to seek help for any existing alcohol-related issues.

Alcohol Use by the Young
Young people who make the decision to consume alcohol are putting themselves and society in danger. Some of the direct effects of drinking on young people include serious or fatal traffic accidents, suicide, problems in school, violent behavior, alcohol poisoning, unsafe sexual behavior, and a variety of other problem behaviors. The statistics are alarming with over 6,500 adults under the age of 21 losing their lives every year in alcohol-related accidents; many thousands of others are injured. Some of the other factors to keep in mind about alcohol include:

- The number one drug of choice for young people in the United States is alcohol (it is more likely to cause death for young people than a combination of all illegal drugs).
- 7,000 children in the U.S. under 16 take a drink for the first time.
- Alcoholism is four times more likely to affect those who begin drinking before they turn 15 compared to those who wait until they reach the age of 21.
- Over 1,700 college students in the United States die every year because of injuries related to alcohol.
- One quarter of children in the U.S. are members of families with alcohol-related problems.
- The nation incurs a debt of approximately $62 billion every year because of underage drinking.

Accident Statistics
The latest information available on DWI accidents in Dallas is from 2011. Many counties in Texas had substantial drunk driving rates, and among the counties that make up the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, there were 5,584 drunk driving accidents. Even more alarming is the fact that of those 5,584 accidents, 172 people lost their lives. Although some of the fatalities involved the actual driver, many were innocent people who simply found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time--a total of 404 innocent bystanders were killed throughout the State of Texas.

The statistics are alarming not just in Dallas, but in the nation as a whole. This is why it is so important for everyone to take a part in encouraging the support of Alcohol Awareness Week 2014, and in future years as well. The only way to improve the statistics is to make the public more aware of the dangers not just of drinking and driving but alcohol abuse in general. According to Dallas personal injury attorney Jeff Rasansky, "If this campaign can prevent one drunk driving accident, in my opinion, it's a success."

For more information about Rasansky Law Firm or drunk driving accidents, please visit http://www.jrlawfirm.com/.
2525 McKinnon Street #625, Dallas, TX 75201

Rasansky Law Firm's personal injury attorneys specialize in car accidents, injuries and wrongful deaths. Attorney Jeff Rasansky is AV top-rated on Martindale, has been named a "Super Lawyer" for 10 years running, and has been well known in Dallas-Fort Worth community for over 20 years. At Rasansky Law Firm, we work on contingency, which means you do not have to pay anything out of pocket (really!). We only get paid when and if you do. Call us today at 214-651-6100 or toll-free at 1-877-405-4313, and let's discuss your legal options!