Alcoholism Should Be a Criminal Offence, Research Paper Example

The reasons behind associating alcoholism with criminal offences are the existing relationships that has been documented between consumption of alcohol and prevalence of violence (Thomas, 2005). However, sufficient evidence has been lacking to prove that alcohol consumption is the actual cause of violence. In majority of situations, consumption of alcohol does not necessarily result to violence. Even in the situations that consumption of alcohol occurs concurrently with violence, there is no sufficient prove that the violence has occurred as a result of alcohol consumption. There is a need to critically look in to other factors that are responsible for violent behavior and alcohol consumption independently. Alcohol has a role to play in the society but efforts to reduce instances of alcohol abuse are recommended.

In the contemporary society, drinking alcoholic beverages is a familiar and generally acceptable habit across a wide array of societal settings including secular settings as well as religious settings. Majority of the functions undertaken in these societal setting require the use of alcohol which has symbolic meanings. In the early days of history for example, the consumption of alcohol was attributed to nutritive benefits, medicinal as well as antiseptic features associated with the beverage (Raboussin, 2006). In the modern society on the other hand, responsible intake of alcohol is associated with fostering life enjoyment, relaxation of the mind, social interaction as well as body enhancement.

Consumption of alcohol is also associated with reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases. This is achieved through raising the levels of the high density lipoprotein, HDL thus offering a protection against heart infections (Griffith, 2002). Alcohol consumption is also associated with positive changes involving insulin sensitivity and enhancement of blood clotting factors. These are vital changes in the body that inhibit blood clots formation which consequently leads to arteries blockage thus affecting the heart, the brain, as well as the neck which are in most cases the cause of heart attack and stroke. This situation has been proven to be true in both genders as long as no past history of cardiovascular diseases has been document. However, the benefits mentioned here are only applicable if intake of alcohol is at significantly moderate amounts. Excess consumption of alcohol erodes the benefits mentioned in this section.

Additional research has linked consumption of alcohol to drastic reduction in the chances of suffering from diabetes Healthy people who take alcohol at qualities of one or two glasses every day lowers the chances of suffering from type 2 diabetes as compared to those people who opts to abstain completely from alcohol consumption (Masten, 2008). It is prudent to note that the people referred to here must be adults and not teens. Further findings indicate that, intake of alcohol is associated with promotion of healthy lifestyle. Occasional consumption of alcohol is also believed to add some years in the life of a person. In this case, the individual anticipating such benefits must take a maximum of four drinks every day for men and two drinks every day for women which translate to 18 percent reduction in the risk of dying. The most preferable time for alcohol intake in this case is during meals. It is also important to note here that, a great deal of responsibility in the manner in which alcohol is taken so that such benefits can be achieved is a stringent requirement. Alcoholism and alcohol addicts can never benefit from alcohol as mentioned here. Alcohol in this case is considered to be an ideal partner of lunch or dinner while the rest of the time during the day must be entirely alcohol free.

Stroke victims are also required to learn something if they despise alcohol consumption. The risk of suffering from stroke can be reduced or accelerated by consumption of alcohol. Therefore, the effects depend on the drinking behavior. The occurrence of stroke is characterized by the death of some tissues of the brain due to a severe and sudden disruption in the flow of blood coupled with insufficient supply of oxygen. Stroke may also be attributed to a blockage or a rupture of any of the blood vessels that are responsible for blood supply to the brain, the former case is termed as ischemic stroke while the later is called hemorrhagic stroke. Consumption of alcohol in significantly moderate amounts reduces the chances of suffering from ischemic stroke. However, the occurrence of hemorrhagic stroke is triggered by alcohol consumption even at moderate amounts of consumption (Thomas, 2005). Excessive consumption of alcohol is an important contributor to both types of stroke.

Again in all the mentioned cases above, it is prudent to be informed that, these benefits are only achievable when alcohol is consumed in significantly moderate amounts. No such benefits are achievable in case the consumption is excessive. For alcoholic addicts, holding on to these arguments as a justification of their alcoholic trends will possibly lead to more damages in their lives.

Excessive consumption of alcohol has in most cases been documented as a pathetic trend that has contributed to numerous negative implications in the society. Cases of alcohol abuse have been linked with rapes, suicides and attempted suicide cases, domestic violence, broken marriages, violence and even murders. Alcoholism becomes even worse when it involves teenagers and childhood adolescents who have done little or nothing for their lives. Statistics from research have indicated that excessive consumption of alcohol is a common habit amongst adolescents and teens of all ages because they perceive alcoholic beverages as the most preferred drug.  This increased inclination to alcohol consumption is accredited to most of the solemn social consequence that are encountered by the young people whose consequences include premature deaths as a result of car crashes, common accidents, homicides and also cases of suicide. The number of cases involving suicide cases is directly linked to alcohol induced depression and a significantly high number of cases in this category are common occurrences among the young teens as well as the adolescents.  This is in most cases encouraged by social pressures, instances of failed relationships, stress that is attributed to inability to cope with life pressures and frustrations after failing in life. A lot of harm have been documented among the youth in the society who have opted to indulge is alcoholic as a means of enjoyment. The same case applies to adults, majority of whom have been unable to take care of their families and sometimes engage in domestic violence. Learning about the dangers that are associated with alcoholism has achieved little success in limiting the rate of alcohol consumption of alcohol. In fact, most people have become addicted to alcohol to the extent that, they are completely unreliable in their daily obligations. It is not uncommon to find a mature adult being taken to a rehabilitation center to recuperate from the effects of excessive consumption of alcohol over an extended period of time. Alcoholism is a significant contributor to the great injuries and deaths that arise from road accidents. Apart from injuring the person who has consumed the alcohol, other people including pedestrians, passengers and other road users suffer great damage due to the careless habits of driving under the influence of alcohol (Patrick & O’Malley, 2002). The ability of pilots and boat operators who are under the influence of alcohol is also affected thus causing serious accidents that can otherwise be prevented. The same case applies to occupation injuries. A person who attends to dairy duties in the workplace under the influence of alcohol risks a variety of damages including falling, sustaining serious burns, drowning, sustaining cuts and hypothermia. A careful consideration of these facts warrants classification of alcoholism as a serious criminal offense. The state is obligated to safeguard the lives and properties of its citizen and any potential cause of damage to life and property should be considered as a serious threat to security thus categorized as a criminal offense.

Alcoholism is an extremely serious crime for pregnant mothers. The habit is most likely to inflict lifelong damages to the unborn child and therefore, the mother is obligated to compensate the child. Therefore, heavy drinking during pregnancy should be considered as a serious criminal offence. The unborn child is entitled to basic legal rights that should not be deliberately violated. The pregnant mother is therefore liable for prosecution in a court of law as a result of her lifestyle at the time of carrying the pregnancy.

References

Griffith, E., (2002). Alcohol: The World’s Favorite Drug. New York: Thomas Dunne Books.

Masten, A. F. (2008). Underage Drinking: A developmental framework. Pediatrics 121 (235), 235-351.

Patrick, M. & O’Malley, L. D. (2002). Epidemiology of Alcohol and Other Drug Use among American College Students. J. Stud. Alcohol, Supplement No. 14, 23-39.

Raboussin, B. S. (2006). A latent class analysis of underage problem drinking … Drug & Alcohol dependence Vol(83) Iss 3, 199-209.

Thomas, M. W., (2005). Drinking Cultures: Alcohol and Identity. New York: Berg.