Another little drink

It is reported that in Australia 3000 die annually and 10,000 more need ongoing medical treatment for on-going alcohol related harm. Presumably all began with another little drink which, it was said, would do them no harm.! (I have met many who rued the day they started to drink but cannot recall anyone who regretted that they did not!) Over imbibing causes the loss of 7.5 million working days and an economic cost of $15.3 billion in Oz. Alcohol contributes to carnage on the roads and many cases of abuse within the family. A prison governor once told me that nearly 70% of his inmates were imprisoned for alcohol related officences. Of course, many people drink moderately. Personally I do not because I would not want my example of drinking a little be an example that led someone else to drinking a lot and to addiction. The Bible poses the question, 'Am I my brother's keeper'. As far as I am concerned the answer is a resounding 'yes'.