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Alcohol In South Dakota

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In the United States, alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance affecting about 1 in every 12 adults (Wilcox, 2015). South Dakota has an even higher rate, ranking fourth in total alcohol consumption (Ransom, 2013). Alcohol use can take a toll on one’s health and can also lead to risky behaviors or even death. Nearly 88,000 people die annually due to alcohol-related causes in the United States. Additionally, alcohol consumption can lead to binge drinking, which is typically about 4 drinks for women or 5 drinks for men in a two-hour span. The minimum age to consume alcohol in the United States is 21, but that doesn't stop underage people from drinking. This is extremely relevant in South Dakota where Brookings and Clay County have …show more content…
If South Dakota continues to remain towards the top of the rankings for alcohol consumption, the people will continue to experience the short and long-term risk factors associated with drinking alcohol.
To begin with, alcohol can affect the health of people in many different ways, including physically, mentally, and socially. Alcohol abuse can lead to many problems both present and long term for anybody that consumes excessive amounts. Some of the most prevalent short-term problems include injuries, violence, alcohol poisoning, risky sex behaviors, and miscarriages or stillbirths for pregnant women (CDC). In addition to these short-term effects, there are also some long-term health risks that can be associated with alcohol abuse. Physically, alcohol can affect one’s body in several …show more content…
In 2010 alone, the cost of excessive drinking in the United States was 249 billion dollars, which averages out to $2.05 per drink or $807 per person (Sacks, 2015). Compared to the same study done in 2006, which resulted in total costs of 223.5 billion, this shows that this problem is only growing and will continue to rise unless certain measures are put into place. Most of these costs came from lost productivity and medical care expenses. Focusing in on South Dakota the total cost for excessive drinking resulted in 598.2 million (Sacks. 2015). Additionally, the cost of underage drinking in South Dakota including “medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth” (PIRE, 1) was 234.4 million dollars in 2013. This equates to 2,894 dollars per each youth in the state. Of these total costs for underage drinkers, 58.4 million came from medical expenses, while 135.7 million came from pain and suffering costs. In order to cut down on some of these costs it would be smart to implement several strategies to combat this ever-growing problem. According to several evidence-based strategies, it would be smart to, “ increase alcohol excise taxes, limit alcohol outlet density, and commercial host liability, screening and brief intervention for excessive alcohol use has also been recommended for adults” (Sacks,

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