Abstract This paper details the effects that alcohol has on all body systems, including the brain, liver, heart and digestive track. Arguments for the moderation consumption of and abstinence from alcohol are presented, as well as information about alcoholism and its genetic cause. Next, the paper explains how alcohol is metabolized from the point of ingestion. Finally, the paper presents the long term cause of CDV, dementia, and diabetes. There are six figures to support the research, including charts of the chemical metabolization of alcohol, and the progressive effect of intoxication on body and behavior by BAC.
From the Paper "There are three phases in the metabolism of alcohol: absorption, distribution and elimination. Absorption is the phase in which the greatest level of intoxication is experienced, a state that may be quantified by assessing blood alcohol content (BAC). At any point in metabolism, a drinker's blood alcohol content measures grams of ethanol per 100 milliliters of blood. However, since metabolic rate varies in different individuals, BAC is not necessarily a direct indication of how many drinks were consumed. Instead, BAC is influenced by such factors as the amount of food in the stomach, sex, and body weight and composition. Generally speaking, females have a lower body weight and higher percentage of body fat, making them more sensitive to alcohol. "
Abstract This paper concerns the alarming trend of DUI's, drugs and alcohol in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. It examines statistics put out by movements such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), CLEAN Inc, the government funded ASAP, Drug Offender Program and others. It also discusses how alcohol and other drugs impair driving skills, and the penalites for being caught with each.
From the Paper "My best friend was recently charged and convicted of a DUI after he fell asleep at the wheel and totaled his new Isuzu Rodeo, so this paper has a personal impact on me. One of the most alarming statistics I came across is that according to the Shenandoah Valley Sex Offenders Treatment Program, about 55% of sex offenders are under the influence at the time of their offense. Alcohol, however, is a major problem in and of itself, and drunk-driving is perhaps the most serious problem."
Persuasive essay on how DUI (drinking under the influence) laws in America are too lenient and how the country would be better off if they were toughened up.
Abstract This essay starts off with a story of a fatal DUI accident in Salt Lake City. It then goes on to state many statistics on alcohol-related crashes and the number of recurring DUI offenders. It cites the negative effects of alcohol when it comes to driving and how the United States is significantly behind others when it comes to enforcing and creating harsher DUI laws. Furthermore, it gives many examples of counter-arguments and why some people are opposed to stricter laws.
From the Paper "For example, the legal BAC in Sweden is .02, compared with our legal limit of .08. Even in Japan, which also has a stricter BAC of .03, citizens can be, and often are, arrested for driving with as little as a few sips of alcohol in their system. Slovakia and the Czech Republic even surpass the strictness of Sweden or Japan--they have a zero tolerance limit for driving under the influence. There, absolutely no alcohol is allowed in a driver's system--none. Penalties all over the world are also far more severe than those we have in the United States."
Abstract This paper presents a discussion into the properties and uses of alcohol. It begins by describing what alcohol is made of and then goes on to discuss the long-term and short-term effects of alcohol on the body. The paper includes a discussion on the effects of alcohol on one's social life, particularly the phenomenon of college drinking and also of the dangers of drinking and driving.
From the Paper "Alcohol, also know as ethanol or CH3-CH2-OH, is a clear, odorless, intoxicating element found in beer (12oz), wine (4oz), and spirits (1 ounce of 100 proof spirit). The use of alcohol can be traced back thousands of years, as early as 10,000 BC. Although typically used for social purposes, alcohol is a dangerous drug that is commonly misused and even abused in many peoples' lives around the world. "Multiple neurotransmitter systems play a role in mediating the behavioral effects of alcohol that have been linked to its abuse and dependence" ( Sellers/Tomkins), these neurotransmitter systems are responsible for expression of emotions, reaction times, and planning and judgment. This central nervous system depressant has the potential to cause many problems not only to the individual using the substance but also to their friends and family members. Through a process called fermentation, alcohol is produced from sugars that go through the action of yeasts. From there, pure alcohol can come in a variety of forms: however, its effects are, for the most part, very similar but slightly different for everyone. Some factors for this fact may be: a person's individual tolerance or experience drinking, body weight, sex, and metabolism rate (that is significantly affected by one's age). These factors determine their BAC, or blood alcohol concentration in one's blood. The higher the BAC, the higher the potential dangers of this drug can be."
Abstract This paper reflects the author's personal experience of being hit by a drunk driver. According to the paper, no mercy needs to be shown to drunk drivers; the maximum allowable blood alcohol content (BAC) should only be 0.05%, and there should be a zero tolerance program for young men and teenage boy drivers caught driving while intoxicated.
From the Paper "My truck wasn't drivable but the door worked. I got out and could hear the glass pop off my clothes and make weird sounds like Rick Krispies popping in a cereal bowl, and when I got to the Mercedes I could see these two guys, drenched in gin, beer, and glass. They were laughing. From ten feet away you could smell the alcohol. When I asked them if they were alright, they gave some quick answer and tried to get the car to move. It wouldn't. I asked them for their insurance and they rattled off some expletives and told me to go to hell and asked if I knew who their father was. However he was, he was going to be very angry when he saw that brown Mercedes, it was totaled."
Abstract This paper discusses how cases of driving under the influence (DUI) have been regarded by American society and how the severity of the offense has changed over the last thirty years. The paper looks at some of the reasons why a person who is charged with DUI may be falsely accused and how these false accusations can impact that person's life.
From the Paper "As Taylor points out, an "average" person hitting the mid-range in all statistical respects is an impossibility and doesn't exist. Women in the world outnumber men, the Chinese outnumber all other nationalities, and certainly there are more people who are deceased then alive. One could argue that the mythical "average" person is female, Chinese and dead. The concept of "average" is simply too vague when .01% means the difference between being found innocent or guilty. Yes, drunk driving is awful, and yes, penalties need to be severe. But before having a glass of wine at a nice restaurant turns into something which can ruin your life, strict scientific guidelines need to be established which define the boundaries of impairment."
