Alcohol

HealthMrs. Wagner

Statistics Over 100 million Americans use 1 out of every 7 cars after 1am is operated by a

driver who has been drinking 30% of all people in the hospital are because of

alcohol 36% of all people who dies in car accidents 80% - involved in domestic abuse 90% - sexual assaults on college campuses 50% - involved in murders 350,000 deaths every year in the US alone Most widely used drug among high school

students

Alcohol Content Contains ethanol – produced when yeast

changes sugar into carbon dioxide and alcohol Alcohol content of most beverages between 6

and 50 percent Indicated by percentage or proof Proof is 2X the percentage – divide proof by 2

– 100 proof = 50% alcohol

Type of Alcohol 1 drink = % of alcohol 1 Beer 5 – 5.5% 1 shot of Liquor Proof divided by 2 6 oz. wine 10 – 14%

Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) To measure effect – measure the Blood

Alcohol Levels Affected by 4 Factors

1. Gender – male liver gets rid of 2/3 of drink in an hour rather than a girls liver ½ in hour2. Weight – more weight = more blood3. Amount over time4. Food content in stomach

BAL Actions at… .05 – mild intoxication – more talkative, slower

reflexes, lower inhibitions .08 – DUI limit in all 50 states – 170 lb. man = 4 –

5 drinks – 90 – 120 minutes .10 – Intoxication – significantly lower reflexes, off

balance, loss of control .15 – Obvious Intoxication = slurring of words, off

balance dramatically, vomiting, muscle coordination decreases dramatically

.25 – Stupor – unresponsive, passed out, can’t stand without help, obvious sickness, doesn’t make sense, incoherent – 911 if unresponsive

.35 – Coma .40 – Death – heart rate and breathing so slow

that you die – brain damage

Alcohol Poisoning Intoxication = poison Signs of AP

- Vomiting – choke or drown on- Heart rate and breathing slows significantly

* Alcohol is a depressant – it slows down the body’s systems and impairs the central nervous system significantly

Laws Kentucky… 1st – 90 days suspended license, $500 – 1000

fine 2nd – 6 month suspension, $2,000 fine –

sometimes jail 3rd – 2 – 5 year suspension, Jail time - $5,000 -

10,000 fine 4th – 5 year – Lifetime suspension, Jail time,

More than $10,000 fine

Carrollton, Ky Worst bus crash in US history May 14, 1988 70 people involved- Church group returning from

Kings Island on way to Radcliff, KY 27 died (24 were children) – only 6 escaped with

no injuries Driver – Mahoney was driving the wrong way on I-

71 Legally drunk – BAL - .24 – repeat offender (.10

was the legal limit at that time) Sentenced to 16 years – served 10 years and 11

months – declined early parole Released September 1, 1999 Kentucky changed drunk driving laws and

significant changes to bus construction and safety

Stopping DUI and excessive drinking Communities:

- Bars giving free non-alcoholic drinks, cut off limits- Free cab rides- MADD – Mothers against drunk driving- PSA – public service announcements

• Schools - SADD – Students against Destructive Decisions

• Legal- car breathalyzer- check points- license plates (diff. colors)- KEG Laws – fines/jail time for adults who provide alcohol to minors (parents)