WHAT IS ALCOHOL ? In chemistry, an alcohol is an

organic compound in which the hydroxyl functional

group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom. In particular,

this carbon centre should be saturated, having single

bonds to three other atoms.

An important class of alcohols are the simple

acyclic alcohols, the general formula for which is

CnH2n+1OH. Of these ethanol (C2H5OH) is the alcohol found in alcoholic

beverages; in common speech the word alcohol

refers to ethanol.

WHY ALCOHOL?Sensation of warmth

In cold climates, potent alcoholic beverages such as vodka are

popularly seen as a way to “warm up” the body, possibly because alcohol is a quickly absorbed

source of food energy and because it dilates peripheral blood vessels.

Alcohol is used as depressant in many cases , for fun it is taken, for getting out of mind, for getting out

of problems people are using alcohol…….

ALCOHOL???

Short-term effects of alcohol consumption include intoxication

and dehydration. Long-term effects of alcohol include

alcoholism, malnutrition, chronic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver disease, cancer and damage to the central

nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Alcohol is

converted to the carcinogen acetaldehyde by the liver

Drinking small amounts of alcohol can offer some protection for people

at risk of heart disease, but large amounts can increase the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and

other conditions.

Alcoholic beverages contain calories, which may contribute to an

increase in body weight (see beer belly). Each gram of alcohol

provides 7.1 kcal, and each millilitre provides 5.6 kcal.

ALCOHOL AND HEALTH…..

In country like India where liquor is sold in large amount in

numerous ways, there are the laws governing alcohol vary

from state to state. Liquor in India is generally sold

at liquor stores, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, clubs and

discos. Some states, like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, prohibit

private parties from owning liquor stores making the state government the sole retailer of alcohol in those states. In some

states, liquor may be sold at groceries, departmental stores,

banquet halls and/or farm houses.

Some tourist areas have special laws allowing the sale of alcohol on beaches and houseboats. But

by braking the laws or by corruption illegal selling of liquor is taking place in our

country.

WHY KILLING YOUR SLEF ??

Alcohol misuse is linked to many harmful consequences for society as a whole and for others in the drinker’s environment. Sometimes referred to as the social consequences of alcohol use then why?

I. Alcohol misuse can harm people other than the drinker, and can have negative

consequences for society as a whole.

II. It is commonly believed to play a role in decreased worker productivity, increased unintentional injuries,

aggression and violence against others, and child and spouse abuse. Research

findings support the idea that drinking is involved in or associated with many of

these social harms, but do not offer evidence that it causes these effects.

III. In 1998, alcohol abuse and dependence cost the United States an estimated $97.7 billion, primarily as a result of economic productivity lost because of

alcohol–related illness, injury, and crime . Whether people are in

alcoholism treatment, in jail for alcohol–related crimes, or in the

hospital as the result of alcohol–related injuries or violence, their incapacity

represents a loss in workplace productivity.

ALCOHOL , SOCIETY AND COUNTRY

Adults who consume more than one to two alcoholic drinks per day are at risk for many health problems, including several types of cancer, digestive diseases, cardiovascular diseases, addiction-related mental disorders, accidents, and injuries.

o The health, safety and socioeconomic problems attributable to alcohol can be effectively reduced and requires actions on the levels, patterns and

contexts of alcohol consumption and the wider social determinants of

healtho Countries have a primary responsibility for formulating, implementing, monitoring and

evaluating public policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. A

substantial scientific knowledge base exists for policy-makers on the

effectiveness and cost–effectiveness of the following strategies:

regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, (in

particular to younger people); regulating and restricting

availability of alcohol; enacting appropriate drink-

driving policies; reducing demand through

taxation and pricing mechanisms;

raising awareness and support for policies;

providing accessible and affordable treatment for people with alcohol-use disorders; and implementing screening

programmes and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful use of alcohol.

WAYS TO REDUCE THE BURDEN FROM HARMFUL USE OF ALCOHOL

WHO aims is to reduce the health burden caused by the harmful use

of alcohol and, thereby, to save lives, prevent injuries and diseases

and improve the well-being of individuals, communities and

society at large. WHO emphasizes the development,

testing and evaluation of cost-effective interventions for harmful use of alcohol as well as creating,

compiling and disseminating scientific information on alcohol use and dependence, and related health and social consequences.

In 2010, the World Health Assembly approved a resolution to

endorse a global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. The resolution urged countries to strengthen national responses to public health problems caused by

the harmful use of alcohol.

The global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol represents a

collective commitment by WHO Member States to sustained action to reduce the

global burden of disease caused by harmful use of alcohol. The strategy includes evidence-based policies and interventions that can protect health

and save lives if adopted, implemented and enforced. The strategy also

contains a set of principles that should guide the development and

implementation of policies; it sets priority areas for global action,

recommends target areas for national action and gives a strong mandate to

WHO to strengthen action at all levels. The policy options and interventions

available for national action can be grouped into 10 recommended target areas, which are mutually supportive

and complementary. These 10 areas are:

WHO RESPONSE

leadership, awareness and commitment; health services’ response;

community action; drink–driving policies and countermeasures;

availability of alcohol; marketing of alcoholic beverages;

pricing policies; reducing the negative consequences of drinking and alcohol

intoxication; reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally

produced alcohol; monitoring and surveillance.

The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) has been developed by WHO to dynamically present data on levels and patterns of alcohol consumption, alcohol-attributable health and social consequences

and policy responses at all levels.

Successful implementation of the strategy will require concerted action by countries, effective global governance and appropriate engagement of

all relevant stakeholders. By effectively working together, the negative health and social consequences of alcohol can be reduced.

QUIT DRINKING ,SAVE YOURSELF ,SAVE THE NATION,

SAVE THE WORLD…..