Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

Did you know that excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 79,000 deaths in the United States each year? More than half of these deaths are due to binge drinking. Binge drinking also is associated with a wide range of other health and social problems, including sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, and violent crime.

The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines define binge drinking as the consumption within two hours of four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is defined as the consumption of more than three drinks on any day or more than seven per week for women and more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 per week for men.

Excessive drinking (i.e., heavy, high-risk, or binge) drinking increases the risk of cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer of the upper gastrointestinal track and colon, injury, and violence. Excessive drinking over time is associated with increased body weight and can impair short- and long-term cognitive function.

It is not recommended that anyone begin drinking or drink more frequently on the basis of potential health benefits, because moderate alcohol intake also is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, violence, drowning, and injuries from falls and motor vehicle crashes, according to the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union considers April's Alcohol Awareness Month an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the harmful effects of beverage alcohol.

Loreta Wood Jent, P.R. Dir.

Women's Christian Temperance Union

To the Editor:

Thanks to the mayor for positive language with regard to Dale Bunn's accomplishments while employed as economic development director. Often the status quo of candidates and city personnel don't understand fully the paper trail, the graduate educational requirements and the state certification required to access governmental data required to accomplish what is required for a lingual piece of vernacular of "economic development."

It is a term easily thrown around and often illustrated as an oxymoron. Mr. Bunn assisted with developing videos and getting other cities that had successfully developed new swimming pools to confer with committees. He was also making presentations on the need for a new pool while he worked for the city. It was a team approach. Appreciated is noted for Gary Bukowski's leadership and his positive comments as city commissioner. Congratulations to all for a positive sales tax vote.

Marian German

Neodesha

(Retired Fort Scott High School English teacher)