To the Editor:

We have been in a state of pandemic for about two years now. During this time, people
have turned to alcohol to combat the drastic effects Covid-19 has left on our population, such as
increased homelessness, unemployment, and lack of resources such as food. The National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports, “Alcohol-related deaths jumped more than
25% between 2019 and 2020.” While the numbers of alcohol-related deaths are growing all over
the country, there has been a significant rise in alcoholism in our community alone. According to
Mercy Health in Youngstown, Ohio, there has been an “uptick” in alcoholism in the Valley.
Alcohol consumption in moderation is safe for most people. When overused, it can cross
the line into a disease or disorder when it begins to cause impairment to someone’s physical or
mental health. People are now using alcohol to function in their everyday lives. Those people
need to begin to seek help when they begin to use alcohol to operate daily. The CDC
recommends no more than seven drinks per week for women and fourteen drinks per week for
men. With heavy drinking comes long-term effects on the body. Examples of such physical
health impairment include sleep difficulties, liver impairment, and an increased risk of certain
cancers.
Alcoholism is a huge issue affecting our area. The healthcare system in our community
needs to start stressing the importance of awareness and resource opportunities. There are little to
no resources for youth and young adults to start learning about the effects that alcohol has on our
bodies. If we can address the issue early on in a person’s life, we have a better chance of
preventing the problem from occurring. A study by the National Institution on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism states, “People who began drinking before they turned 15 were four times more
likely to develop alcoholism than those who started drinking at the legal age of 21.” Schools
around the community need to begin implementing substance abuse prevention.
Another way to combat the issue of alcoholism in the community is to enhance
enforcement of laws prohibiting sales to minors. In our community, there are many areas where a
minor can purchase alcohol illegally. WFMJ, reports, “Up until September 2021, minors were
able to go to a bar named, The Social.” At this bar many were served underage, increasing the
risk for inappropriate alcohol use.
If a person has been exposed to chronic alcohol abuse for an extended period, there is still
hope for a person to recover. Rehabilitation is a tool used for alcoholics looking to get better. In
our community, there needs to be more funding to create these places. Rehabilitation centers
offer people the help they need to improve their lives. For example, they use methods such as
educational gatherings, group settings, medication treatments, and support groups for people
struggling with addiction. If our community came together and started to utilize funding to
provide resources to spread awareness, we would be more equipped to combat the issue of
alcoholism. The community also must learn how to tackle the issue in any age group, from
learning how to prevent the issue from taking place to helping people who have been affected get
better.
Sincerely,
Amberly Rose