Excessive alcohol use continues to be a drain on the American economy, according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Excessive drinking cost the U.S. $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink, a significant increase from $223.5 billion, or $1.90 per drink, in 2006. Most of these costs were due to reduced workplace productivity, crime, and the cost of treating people for health problems caused by excessive drinking.
Binge drinking, defined as drinking five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four or more drinks on one occasion for women, was responsible for most of these costs (77 percent). Two of every 5 dollars of costs -- over $100 billion -- were paid by governments.
[[{"fid":"15813","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"The economic cost of alcohol abuse is rising annually. (Image/CDC)","title":"The economic cost of alcohol abuse is rising annually. (Image/CDC)","height":"542","width":"419","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]“The increase in the costs of excessive drinking from 2006 to 2010 is concerning, particularly given the severe economic recession that occurred during these years,” said Robert Brewer, M.D., M.S.P.H., head of CDC’s Alcohol Program and one of the study’s authors. “Effective prevention strategies can reduce excessive drinking and related costs in states and communities, but they are under used.”
Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths each year, including 1 in 10 deaths among working-age Americans ages 20-64.
Excessive alcohol use cost states and the District of Columbia a median of $3.5 billion in 2010, ranging from $488 million in North Dakota to $35 billion in California. Washington D.C. had the highest cost per person ($1,526, compared to the $807 national average), and New Mexico had the highest cost per drink ($2.77, compared to the $2.05 national average).
The 2010 cost estimates were based on changes in the occurrence of alcohol-related problems and the cost of paying for them since 2006. Even so, the researchers believe that the study underestimates the cost of excessive drinking because information on alcohol is often underreported or unavailable, and the study did not include other costs, such as pain and suffering due to alcohol-attributable harms.
The study, “2010 National and State Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption," is available at http://www.ajpmonline.org/content/infoformedia. For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/.
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I agree alcohol causes a lot of problems and is a bad addiction . The majority of people who consume are responsible drinkers . There are however some who are addicted to alcohol , their addiction is the same as any other drug addiction . That being said how can we minimize this problem . In san angelo we have some of the most beautiful parks in the state . The bosque area of the down town area is tops bar none . The city crews do a fantastic job maintaining the area . There is however a problem with the people who are clearly there only to drink in excess and to the point of passing out in front of all of the park visitors . This year i noticed that there was a slight increase in park use , people walking for exercise or just strolling , others to enjoy a good book , others to picnic with their families . Nothing ruins a family picnic more than having a drunk close to where families are trying to have good wholesome family fun . The drunks have no respect , they drink and drink until they become a problem . Some times they become delirious and talk to themselves , even yelling at times , there is always the fear of violence . There is a law against public intoxication , but the police have so much to do already and they can't spend all day chasing drunks in the park . If we ban alcohol in the park , parks within the city limits , we can make a slight difference . I know that the city sells alcohol at special events , that is not a problem . Its easy to spot the problem drinkers because they don' attend these functions , they prefer to drink away from the functions . I don't think anyone will be too upset if alcohol consumption is banned in the park , that should include those drinkers who show up daily and sit in their vehicles and drink until they are intoxicated . The parks should be safe and relaxing to everyone and open to all . I hope that our city council can work on this problem , and come up with a good solution , I know they read the live , every one does .. See you in the park.
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PermalinkNext time you see a drunk at the park, call the police and I guarantee your nuisance will be eliminated. Police must be notified in order to enforce, and they would greatly appreciate the notification.
I disagree with banning alcohol consumption in the park, simply because I use the parks to host work related events. We bbq fairly regularly (last year it was once a week) in San Angelo's parks. During which time it's not uncommon for us to consume a beer or two, responsibly. We are not drunks, we are not loud and boisterous. We refuse to let each other get out of hand.
The parks are also an outstanding date location. I've brought dates and shared a glass of wine at a picnic. Taking away the wine certainly removes some of the romance, don't you think?
Although I honestly can't disagree that an all-out alcohol ban would help solve Milo Otis's particular dilemma, the ban would at least result in a great reduction in my personal utilization of the public parks. If that's what it takes to keep the public safe, though, then I'll sacrifice my romantic dates or work morale functions and just accept that I will be eternally single and never get along with the boys at the office again. :)
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