{How Much is Too Much?}

In an attempt to define binge drinking, government agencies and other websites define the act of binge drinking as "consuming 4 or more alcoholic beverages in a single sitting for women, and 5 or more alcoholic beverages in a single sitting for men". There is a lot more to it than that. When trying to determine how much alcohol is too much, just 1 drink can be the difference between life and death when certain variables are taken into consideration.

When is just 1 glass of wine too much?

• Certain drugs (prescription and illegal) interact unfavorably, even lethally, with just a small amount of alcohol
  
• Blood Alcohol Content (or BAC, click on the link for more information) can have a great range depending on a drinker's height, weight, gender and prior alcohol use
  
• Encouraging or providing even ONE drink to anyone under the age of 21-years-old can land a person in jail for Providing Alcohol to a Minor (even if you are also underage)
  
• Consuming even ONE alcoholic beverage (anything from a wine cooler to everclear) can lead to arrest and jail time for anyone under 21-years-old

{A Mere Snapshot}

This could be a page out of any yearbook. 

The faces of young men and women with very promising futures; who, at one point, could have been voted "Most Likely to Succeed". Athletes, intellectuals, artists and class clowns who were adored by their friends and family. They will be forever loved and missed by those closest to them. 

A representation of tragedy. 

During the 2008-2009 school year more than an estimated 1,000 young lives were claimed by alcohol induced poisoning and injury. 

  

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mun Scotty Roberts

    

Shelby Lyn Allen Dylan Lyford

     

Joey "JLo" Loudon Warren Kimber

    

Arman Partamian Jason Wren

Returning to high school and college can be exciting, challenging and come with a different set of goals, but new pressures shouldn't become fatal. Don't let the anxieties of trying to fit-in or impress others lead to binge drinking or reckless behavior. The "it can't happen to me" attitude seems to pale when someone considers that the pictures above represent less than 1/100 of the number of students who lost their lives during the 2008-2009 school year. Don't let it happen to you. Don't let it happen to a friend or someone you love. 

Don't let it happen.

{TAKE Fast Fact}

Even something seemingly normal, like snoring, can be someone's last gasp when it comes to alcohol poisoning. Don't ignore this cry for help, TAKE notice; save a life:

"When people are very drunk, or drugged, 'snoring' is actually not real snoring, 

Heath Ledger's final breaths were obstructed, which caused him to "snore". Had someone recognized this as a symptom of an overdose, and called 911 his young life may have been saved. Alcohol and other suppressants can begin to close the airways in the final stages of a fatal overdose.

but often a form of partial airway obstruction. A very alarming, particular type of snoring is when a person snores both on the inhale and the exhale - that's called stridor and it is an absolute indication that someone needs to call 911."-Doc Gurley, San Francisco Chronicle. "City Brights". May 25, 2009.

{You have what it TAKES}

What attributes are necessary to becoming a hero?

Is it powers that far surpass normal human strength and ability?

Or is it something more quiet that is hidden within each of us?

This Blog will equip you with the knowledge necessary to become a hero. The Knowledge necessary to have an open dialogue about alcohol use and abuse. The knowledge necessary to know how to ask for help. Perhaps the knowledge that you need to save a life.

Maybe it won't happen today; hopefully it won't ever happen.

But just by acquiring this information you are gaining powers beyond flight or muscles, invisibility or super human strength.

TAKE notice:

Notice and follow the laws and rules regarding alcohol.

Learn and Notice the signs of alcohol poisoning.

Notice how alcohol is affecting you and your body

Notice how alcohol is affecting others; TAKE action if necessary.

TAKE action:

Act by calling 9-1-1 if someone is showing signs of alcohol poisoning.

Act by not driving drunk or allowing others to drive drunk.

Recommend help for others who may be abusing alcohol.

Find help if you are abusing alcohol.

Act like a friend and TAKE a stand.

TAKE a stand:

Stand up for your friends; don't let them be pressured into drinking.

Stand for change; don't pressure others to drink.

Stand up for yourself and vow to not binge drink.

Stand for something bigger than yourself...

be a real hero, don't let alcohol TAKE another life.