GoodnewsEverybody.com Social Issues: Alcohol(ism), Alcoholic, Drinking, Intoxicated, Liquor, etc...

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My first time experience with alcohol ("What is Alcohol" by Teen Challenge) was trying some wine with the permission by my dad during a wedding. Of course, my parents didn�t let me have all of it, but a sip! Another was when it was New Years�s Eve and we (my siblings) had a chance to try a �sip� to celebrate. In the Philippines, there is no drinking age limit, which from my perspective-the people there do not abuse it as we do in the U.S.

My experience with alcohol greatly increased through peer pressure at parties during high school, college, and after. In high school, I would drink a little, but not too much to get crazy as the others were in the party. Looking at others and my educational experience (AAA ?), I wasn�t attractive to the whole alcohol party scene. When I drank just some at one party in high school, I didn�t feel good the next morning. That was my first real �hands on experience�, which has made it easier to tell people why should I drink?

College Related Resources:

  • Alcohol on College Campuses: An Overview,from everyday warriors

    • After coming to a knowing relationship with Christ my first year at UMM, I searched more Biblical verses:

    -"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit"-Ephesians 5:18
    :Jesus Changes Water to Wine"-John 2


    *see Bible

    ...on alcohol for personal and social reasons. Personally, I wanted to know what God says about alcohol. Also, I wanted to be ready (�be prepared in season and out of season�-2 Timoty 4:2) to give an answer to my friends, peers, or even close ones that challenges (not me), but God through His written Word! For example, the most frequent question I get is, �Jesus drank wine, so can we, right?�. Yes, we can, but not abuse it with over consumption or excessive amount like with any other physical substance (e.g. food-gluttony, alcohol-alcoholic, etc�)One verse that sticks out (after having a social outing with some alcohol with friends recently) is ��offer your bodies as living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God� (Romans 12:1).

    I can write a whole book on my years with alcoholics (neighbor, living situation, friends, etc�). For confidential reasons, I will be vague as possible: I�ve seen what alcohol can do to people, and it not only affects that person (e.g. physical, social, and spiritual-health), but also the people around them (e.g. household members, family, friends, etc�). It really ruins the environment they are in. That is why I avoid places where people drink irresponsibly. Also, it affects generations. For example, alcohol can affect pregnant woman by causing birth defects (e.g. down syndrome, mentally/physically disabled). PLEASE-if you won�t do it for yourself, do it for your children! I�ve seen the effects with the children in the past, today, and in the future!

    Jesus Drank Wine and There are Health Benefits!

    Yes, there are some health benefits, but only if your are over 40...Health Benefits, from therightmix.gov.au

    Also, it depends on the individual according to Maggie Rosen ("Evidence grows about benefits of moderate drinking") from Boston Globe..."And drinking is obviously not for everyone. Doctors and researchers agree that anyone with a previous history of abuse, a dislike for alcohol, contrary religious beliefs, or who is on medication that is incompatible with alcohol should not drink.

    Different people respond to alcohol differently. A recent study out of Tufts University suggests that for people with certain genetic mutations, alcohol consumption may actually boost their bad cholesterol instead of the good, potentially making them sicker instead of healthier."

  • " Alcohol and your health: Weighing the pros and cons", from Mayco Clinic

    • Below are some�

    Recommended Resources

    Local-GoodnewsMorris

  • Alcohol Victorius, starting a support group?
  • Depressed?, some personal tips on dealing with this before drinking!

    • Death Stories

  • 21-year-old dead after drinking, partying in St. Paul, Posted at: 08/06/2008 08:40:57 PM By: Nicole Muehlhausen, Web Producer (KSAX)

    • "A 21-year-old man is dead after a night of drinking at a party for his cousin's birthday.
    Police said Peter Sand was in St. Paul Monday to celebrate his cousin's 21st birthday. After touring some bars, police said the party ended up at a residence east of Hamline University.
    Neighbor Steve Hartman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he could hear the party.
    "That�s what they do. This is a college neighborhood and you just have to expect that," he said.
    But Hartman knew something was very wrong when he looked outside the next morning.
    "It�s pretty devastating�to have the neighbors have to watch [Sand] pulled out on a gurney into a hearse," Hartman said.
    Sand was a 2005 graduate of Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School. Despite the circumstances of his death, the school�s principal said Sand was a great kid and a good student.
    The Ramsey County Medical Examiner is performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
    A spokesman said they're still awaiting toxicology results and it could be two months before they have an official cause of death.
    "It�s really sad that the kid had to die. But people should take advantage of this and look at it as a learning tool rather than a joke, because it's not a joke," Hartman explained.
    Three Minnesota college student have died from binge drinking in the last year. Nursing student Amanda Jax died celebrating her 21st birthday in Mankato last October. Her blood alcohol level was 0.46.
    In December, 20-year-old Jenna Foellmi, a Winona State student, died from alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking.
    Early this year, 20-year-old Brian Threet was found dead in his St. Cloud apartment. An autopsy showed he died from an accidental overdose of drugs and alcohol."

    Testimonies

    Bridget Shares a Personal Story Part 1 of 3

    "Growing up in a reservation (see Native/Indian) in Canada and getting out to sharing the Good News. This is the first of three parts of her amazing story from drunkness to sharing the goodness of what God can do to deliver others from this addiction."

    State-GoodnewsMinnesota

    Abuse

    -Rape

  • Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Woman's Violent Murder, May 14, 2009 9:14 pm US/Central (WCCO.com)

    • "...According to court papers, Sontoya and Romo drank several beers at Fern's Bar in St. Paul on the evening of Sept. 29, 2008 before going back to Sontoya's residence, also in St. Paul, early in the morning on Sept. 30.
    Sontoya said the two had consensual sex. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner said Romo bled to death after being sexually assaulted, suffering traumatic injuries to her internal and external organs.
    Sontoya called police around 7 a.m., after he woke up and found Romo unconscious. He called his brother, a Ramsey County correctional officer first, who advised him to call police. When officers arrived, they found Romo's body lying on the carpet in the bedroom. She was wearing only underwear, two socks and one shoe...

    Rehabiliatation/Treatment Centers

  • Living Word Recovery Ministry, includes pastor's testimony!
  • Project Turnabout, in Granite Falls

    • *I've met a couple folks already that have been here over the years I"ve been living in Morris
  • Teen Challenge, in Minneapolis (includes a testimony)
    • *Note: A friend of mine has been through this program. I first heard of this ministry after they sent a group to a local church service I attended in Morris to perform and shared several awesome testimonies.

    Under Age

    -Authoritative abuse

  • Girls Hockey Coach Allegedly Had Sex With Players, May 14, 2009 8:29 pm US/Central (WCCO.com)

    • "STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) ― A former girls hockey coach at Park High School in Cottage Grove is accused of giving alcohol to two former players and having sex with them.
    Eric Patrick Darwitz, 31, of Oakdale, was charged Thursday with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct by a person of authority. The alleged incident was in 2006, when the girls were 16, shortly after Darwitz had quit working at Park....
    -Selling Liquor
  • Liquor Store Clerk Convicted In Drunken Teen Crash, Aug 11, 2008 10:58 pm US/Central (WCCO.com)

    • " A liquor store clerk who sold booze to a teenager is headed to jail. Rocky Vue never checked for identification when he sold a 19-year-old a bottle of Southern Comfort and four 40s. The teenager later got in a car, ran a red light and killed Rebecca Yacob just a few blocks from her home...
    Police arrested the truck's driver, 19-year-old Logan McFarland. At the time of the crash his blood-alcohol level was .20, which is more than twice the legal limit.
    Earlier this year McFarland was sentenced to more than four years in prison. Now, the man who sold him the alcohol is going to jail too.
    "This is unusual. We seldom get a jail term in connection with a case like this involving sales of alcohol to minors or underage adults," said Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom.
    On Monday afternoon, a judge sentenced Vue to three months in jail. Prosecutors said he knew McFarland was underage, but still sold him alcohol numerous times at Starz Liquor Store in Inver Grove Heights."

    Nation-GoodnewsUSA.Info

    Health

    Effects of Alcohol

    "i made this video for a class in college, it is for anyone who wants to know the effects of alcohol use and abuse"

  • Health Effects of Alcohol about.com

    • " Excessive drinking can cause a variety of health problems. This index explores a wide range of the health effects of alcohol from fetal alcohol syndrome to alcholism in the elderly....
    Alcohol Liver Disease (40) Nutrition and Alcohol (12) Brain Damage and Alcohol (49) Nicotine and Alcohol (17) Alcohol and Cancer Risk (22) Sex and Alcohol (5) AIDS and Substance Abuse (13) Elderly and Alcohol (16) Diabetes and Alcohol (6) Withdrawal Symptoms @
  • Health & Human Services, U.S. Department (search "alcohol")
  • Health at
  • What are some negative health consequences associated with drinking alcohol?, from wiki.answers.com

    • "Negative effects of habitual alcohol use on physical health can include: Liver problems that could eventually kill the person if the drinking continues, stomach problems, diabetes, aging 10 times faster than normal, high blood pressure, and gout.
    The occasional drink is fine and even getting "tipsy" at the odd party, but if one drinks on a daily basis then time catches up. While young it doesn't seem like a big deal, but hitting the peak of 40 and up, a person who drinks too much is really out of shape (bloating and flabby) and isn't attractive at all. Some men and women have a red face or nose from too much drinking.
    Almost anything in moderation is OK, if you can be moderate in your drinking. "

    Message

    Alcohol

    "My pastor did a series on Modern Day Plagues. I created this video to get the point across about Alcohol."

    Stats

  • Frequently Asked Questions, from Center for Disease for Control

    • "The role of alcohol in crime victimization
    About 1 million violent crimes occurred in 2002 in which victims perceived the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense. Among those victims who provided information about the offender's use of alcohol, about 30% of the victimizations involved an offender who had been drinking.
    Two-thirds of victims who suffered violence by an intimate (a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) reported that alcohol had been a factor. Among spouse victims, 3 out of 4 incidents were reported to have involved an offender who had been drinking. By contrast, an estimated 31% of stranger victimizations where the victim could determine the absence or presence of alcohol were perceived to be alcohol-related.
    For about 1 in 5 violent victimizations involving perceived alcohol use by the offender, victims also reported they believed the offender to have been using drugs as well.

    Testimonies

    Jennifer Knapp -BluefishTV.com

    "Singer-songwriter Jennifer Knapp tried other religions, destructive relationships and alcohol in a futile attempt to find happiness. At the end of her rope, Jennifer became curious about the quiet lives of the Christians around her. Accepting the peace of Christ, she was able to escape her harmful lifestyle and find purpose"
    Man Set Free From Alcohol On The Streets!

    "Street Talk Ministries - Peg and Jordan share an awesome testimony of a man who was instantaneously set free from alcohol on the Streets!!! www.StreetTalkMilwaukee.com"
    Pastor Rick Fathers Day Testimony

    "Pastor Rick Casto, Director of the Teen Challenge Christian Life Ranch gives a testimony on Fathers Day 6-17-07. "
    *see GoodnewsUSA: Arizona

    Treatment Centers

  • Blood N Fire, compassion center in Atlanta, GA

    • *Prayer Request Need for Juan

    ....adopted-Guatemalan, who lived with me from 2001-2003 asked me recently (10/21/04) for help. Particularly is praying for $ support for a ministry he's getting helped at in Atlanta, GA for this rehab ministry (called "Blood & Fire"-picture of Juan!) opportunity given by a Burnsville church connection with Lake Community Church in Alexandria. If you would like to be an answer to this prayer through financially, please contact goodnewsumm@hotmail.com.

    From: "Rose
    To: saldapal@yahoo.com
    Subject: RE: Sal-Friend of Juan: Support?
    Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 13:10:55 -0500

    Hi Sal!!!

    So good to hear from you � are you freezing yet?

    Juan is doing great and I really appreciate your prayers�they make a TREMENDOUS difference!!!

    We do have quite a few needs around here. I am including them. Please let me know if you have any questions about the needs or BnF in general.

    Make sure you look us up on the web @ bloodnfire.com

    THANKS AND KEEP PRAYING!!! IT MEANS SO VERY MUCH TO US!!!

    Much Love and Many Blessings,
    Rose

    UPDATE!1

    From : Juan Jose Sent : Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9:04 PM

    "I am currently living in New Orleans and came here bc God asked me to come and serve the homless and the hurting.Blood-N-Fire Vision is to Rebuilding Cities back together again.I have no job now bc God said the American Dream has to die so I am being obedient and serveing God.I am the Cook for Blood-N-Fire I cook on Pit that is 30ft long and cook for about a 1,000 ppl a day I have the responsability of pulling food out for the next day and deciding on what we have daily.I am put in a leadership position about a month ago.Please pray for me bc this is much harder than expected,I get alot of pressure and get stressed out fast and have made a few bad choices but I keep perserving.Pray that God gives me strength to fight and not give up.I hope out of this it all made sence bc this is the first time I have ever did this New Letter

    thing before.If any of u all are interested in coming down here to help Please call me at 404-457-9783 and ask for me.
    So I am wondering if any of u would like to support me monthly why I am here in New Orleans bc while we are here we want to do things as as family(Blood-N-Fire)Like go out to eat go to a movie go bowling.If any of u feel like God wants u to support me monthly that would be great 20 dollars a month or more anything.Thanks again for ur prayers and Support.

    P:S:I have a few Needs that are very Important to me.
    1.Lap Top computer
    2.Digital Camera
    I think thats it,the Lap top bc when I am the cook I need to have things in order and write it down and I lose my paper and if I cna put it on a compter and store my information on it,would make things easyer.Bc some days we serve 800 so 1000 less of more depends on the day and the week and I need to put it on a computer so I can go back and see how many boxes I pulled out for that day we did 800,my Leader Jerome Herring wants me to put this info on papaer but like I said paper u lose and I would feel more organized if I had the Lap Top,plus I could use it to use Internet and keep u all informed on whats up.If I dont have a computer I cant check in everday to let any of u know whats up.Just a thought,I am useing a friends computer now they are leaving in 7 days and there from Canada and they have been here for 6 weeks.Thanks friends family for reading this.Juan ose',If I have any more things all send out another letter.I encourage u to keep in touch with me bc I am at the heart of where it all happened.

    Could u possibly send me bottles of Ketchup or just money for it thanks Juan,God will bless u Big if u do that.

    Currently serving the Lord with Blood N' Fire with the clean-up in Louisiana post Hurricaine Katrina 05'

    Victory Fellowship;
    5708 Airline Hwy;
    Metairie, LA 70003
    (504) 733-5005

    {PHOTO GALLERY}

    New Orleans Mission Trip (page 5)

    Blood n Fire Needs List:

    Administration/General Operations

    It would be very helpful to have a monthly pledge for any/all of these utilities

    Monthly Utilities: POWER - $5000/mo
    WATER - $4000/MO
    TRASH - $2500/MO
    GAS - $2500/MO
    INSURANCE - $6000/MO

    Sanctuary
    Towels
    Underwear
    Coats
    Sheets
    Blankets
    Pillows
    Laundry Detergent
    Toiletries � soap, toothbrushes, razors

    188/225 Warehouse Maintenance and Restoration

    *This is the MOST CRITICAL need for BnF

    Fire & Safety Restoration* - $175,000
    Sobre La Mesa Floor Restoration - ?
    4th/5th Floor Restoration - $25,000
    Work Vehicles � Trucks (F-150, Silverado)

    Training Center Dressers
    Writing Paper/ Notebooks
    Bible Concordances
    Cleaning Supplies
    Towels and Washcloths
    Blankets
    Extra-curricular activities sponsorship�BOWLING -
    $200, MOVIES - $200, BBQ - $200
    Leather-bound NIV Personalized Bibles

    Youth

    Art supplies � drawing pencils, paper, paints Basketball Court to be built on the Rock area of Warehouse

    Skate Park Lumber
    Supplies - $ contribution

    Creative Combustion Microphones
    Art supplies � canvases
    Nail Gun
    Air Compressor
    Paint

    Food Ops/Sobre La Mesa Meat Items � chicken, fish, beef
    #10 Canned goods

    Staff/Missionaries laptop computer
    SUV Car
    Car
    Wedding & Honeymoon Expenses - $5000

    1. Art supplies � brushes, canvases, black & white acrylic paint
    2. Furniture � area rugs, desk lamp, love seat, chair


    Mail Check payable to "Blood N' Fire":
    Attn: Paul Styene
    471 Bryan St SE
    Atlanta, GA 30312
    paulsteyne@aol.com

  • Teen Challegne, a nationwide rehab ministry

    • Testimonies

  • Michelle's Testimony, Lord Saved Me!
  • Shepherd's View, son of alcholic father is now head of Hope In Christ Ministry

    • Youth

    Billy Schneider - Straight Talk

    "Billy Schneider speaking to teenagers across the United States about the dangers and consequences of smoking, drugs, alcohol and more. Sharing from personal, painful experiences, he gave this series of talks as someone who had contracted full-blown AIDS, cancer, etc. He challenges them to make right choices"

    Global-Multicultural

  • World Health Organization, substance dependence

    • Above are some resources I�ve gathered based on my experience with this issue so far. I�m no expert on this issue, but a concerned fellow brother/friend/neighbor in Christ!

    Please feel free to contact me of any questions, comments/complaints, suggestions, testimonies/shares, or prayer requests concerning this issue too. Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!

    SOME STATS

    Some of the report's findings:

    --Eighty-seven percent of adults who drink had their first drink before age 21.

    --The gender gap for drinking is disappearing. Female ninth-graders were just as likely to be drinkers as male ninth-graders.

    --Eighty-one percent of high school students have consumed alcohol, compared with 70 percent who have smoked cigarettes and 47 percent who have used marijuana.

    --Most teens who experiment with alcohol continue using it. Among high school seniors who had tried alcohol, 91.3 percent still were drinking in the 12th grade.

    Source: The New York Times "Underage Drinking in U.S. Is on the Rise", Feb. 26th, 2002.

  • Laws Against Drunk Driving in Other Countries, UMM's Student Against Drunk Driving

    • Australia: The names of the drivers are sent to local newspapers and areprinted under the heading "He's Drunk and in Jail."
    Malaya: The driver is jailed; if he's married, his wife is jailed too.
    South Africa: A 10-year prison sentence and/or the equivalent of a $10,000 fine.
    Turkey: Drunk drivers are taken ten miles from town by the police and forced to walk back under escort.
    Norway: Three weeks in jail doing hard labor, and a one-year loss of license. Second offense and license is revoked for life.
    Finland and Sweden: Automatic jail for one year doing hard labor.
    Costa Rica: Police remove plates from car.
    Russia: License revoked for life.
    England: One-year suspension of license, a $250 fine, and jail for one year.
    France: Three-year loss of license, one year in jail, and a $1,000 fine.
    Poland: Jail, fine, and forced to attend political lectures.
    Bulgaria: A second conviction results in execution.
    El Salvador: This country is unique in that it has absolutely no repeat offenders: drunk driving is punishable by execution by firing squad.

    Japan

  • Japan Faces Growing Alcohol Problems, from about.com
  • Japan Grapples With Alcoholism Crisis David Milne, from Psychiatric News 2003

    • Testimonies

    CANADA

    I heard an awesome inspirational story this morning at my local church this morning (Sunday, March 8th of 2008). It was a lady by the name of Bridget Volden, who is 70+ years "young". Here connection with Morris is through her now deceased husband (Bill Volden) 2 years ago this May. She shared her story of how she cried out to God to get rid of her alcoholism. It came during a time of desperation when her husband wanted her out of the house because he was tired coming home to see her drunk.
    Bridget Shares a Personal Story Part 1 of 3

    "Growing up in a reservation in Canada and getting out to sharing the Good News. This is the first of three parts of her amazing story from drunkeness to sharing the goodness of what God can do to deliver others from this addiction. She shared this personal "miracle" testimony at Morris Community Church in Morris, Minnesota on Sunday, March 9th of 2008."
    "The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer."-Psalm 6:9
    Bridget Shares a Personal Story Part 2 of 3

    "This is the second of three parts "
    "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you."-Acts 13
    Bridget Shares a Personal Story Part 3 of 3

    "Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised

    ASIA
    -India

  • Drunkard Finds Jesus Gospel for Asia For Immediate Release Wednesday, November 19, 2008 (Assistnews.net)

    • "ASSAM, INDIA (ANS) -- Pratul Tanka was surrounded with people who loved Jesus—his wife, Seema, and his parents. He claimed to follow a traditional religion in his state of Assam, India, but all Pratul really loved was alcohol.
    No longer a slave to alcohol, Pratul faithfully attends worship services with his wife at the church where GFA missionary Tarun serves as pastor. Several year ago, Pratul’s parents discovered the saving love of Jesus and began faithfully following Christ. Although Pratul witnessed the positive transformation in their lives, he refused to give up his old habits...
    When Pratul saw the power of Jesus through the church’s prayers, he decided to give his life to Christ. No longer a slave to a false religion and alcohol, Pratul joyfully goes to worship the Savior with Seema every Sunday..."

    Victims

    George Best: Don't die like me

    "We take a look back at George Best's life and warn others not to follow this world famous football star to destruction. This video is have also been produced as a gospel tract. News reached us recently that Best got saved prior to death. If this is true, how wonderful for him and his Christian sister who prayed for him for many, many years."
    *see UMMAlpha: British
    Related Sites:
    My Best Brother: Football legend George Best's sister reveals her memories of his rise and fall By BARBARA BEST - More by this author � Last updated at 22:00pm on 24th October 2007 (from dailymail.co.uk)
    "In May 1963, at the age of 17, he finally signed for Manchester United on �35 a week (equivalent to �520 today).
    George's football skills and pop star good looks soon proved an explosive combination. And as his fame increased, his visits back home became less frequent.
    When he did come back, our house in Belfast would be besieged by Press and fans. We'd have to sit with the blinds closed to stop people staring in.
    And when he took me on the bus into town, people would be looking and nudging each other. I felt a bit embarrassed but at the same time really proud of him.
    Although he never got involved in the drug culture that was so prevalent in the 1960s, George's drinking quickly started to spiral out of control.
    The pressures on him were enormous, and partying was his way of dealing with it.
    I remember going to visit him in 1973, to see a house he'd had built in Cheshire"

    Thank you for visiting GoodnewsEverybody! Please feel free to e-mail me (Sal) at info@goodnewseverybody.com on any comments, suggestions (e.g. any new websites),complaints, or anytype of feedback to improve this website.

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