What you need to know about alcohol policy

Abstract

Alcohol use is widespread in most countries of the Americas and while it is widely used, its consumption is not without risks. Alcohol is essentially an intoxicating and dependence producing drug and it is used mainly because of its mind altering, psychoactive effects. The widespread use of alcoholic beverage is associated with a wide range of health and social problems, including traffic injuries and fatalities, homicides, falls, fires, drowning, suicides, sports and leisure injuries, violence and reduced productivity in the workplace, several forms of cancers, chronic liver disease, heart disease, damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems and alcohol dependence. Problems extend to others as well, such as domestic violence, child abuse, violent behavior and injuries or fatalities of passengers in cars and pedestrians crossing the road where there are people driving after drinking...