When we are young, we learn that anything poisonous has fatal consequences. It is known that in fairytales, our villains will use poison for their wicked and immoral acts. We have always been exposed to the dangers of poison, yet many still decide to consume it constantly. However, we do not find our poison in the chalices used by villains. Instead, our poison is being held within bottles, cans and red solo cups. Alcohol: the deadliest poison of them all. In the year 2013, I plan to raise awareness of the dangers of this substance, in the hopes of decreasing its abusers.

Just the word alcohol sends shivers running down my spine. I am all too aware of the dangers of this substance, seeing the effect it has had on my family. Alcoholism is a disease that robs you of your life, and leaves nothing but dependence and anxiety in its path. My mother’s father was an alcoholic. Was. Now, he is dead. When my mother was but a child, alcoholism ate at him, raiding him of himself. He walked out on his family, leaving my mother behind. It was not until her college years that she heard of his passing. Alcohol not only affects you, but the ones who care for you as well.

Alcohol abusers aren’t always the ones to pay the price. Instead, innocent victims do it for them. Those who chose to drive under the influence are not only risking their safety, but the wellbeing of others. No matter how well you think you can handle alcohol, your mind will be affected. No one should be allowed on the roads unless they are 100% themselves. And here is a fact; if you contain alcohol, you will not be yourself. Your vision, reflexes and much more no longer belong to you, but to the alcohol within you. 50% of people killed on the road are the victims of drunk drivers (Alcohol Abuse StatisticsStatistics). Do you realize how many lives could have been saved, had alcohol not been abused? Innocent people die as a result of someone else’s poor decisions.

Abusing alcohol is a choice. In making this choose, you thereby decide to surrender your health. Out of all the alcoholics that have passed, 95% of the deaths can be blamed on alcoholism (Alcohol Abuse StatisticsStatistics). Alcohol damages your body beyond repair. To change the amount of alcohol abusers would inevitably change the amount of victims of cancer, FAS, pancreatitis and so many other diseases.

I have already started to take a stand against alcohol. I participate in my school’s SADD club. I have also made a vow to myself that I will never consume alcohol. In doing this, I hope others will follow my lead. If I convince one person to stop abusing alcohol, I have made a difference. It may be a small change in our world, but to that one person, it is their world.

Sources: Alcohol Abuse StatisticsStatistics on Alcohol AbuseTeen Alcohol Abuse StatisticsStatistics of Alcohol Abuse." Alcohol Abuse Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2012