Speech: Drinking Alcohol

Drinking and alcohol Hello teachers, friends, and fellow students. Today I will talk to you about how drinking and alcohol are affecting our society and daily life. About 3 fourths of Canadians consume alcoholic beverages every day. Although alcohol is one of the most consumed beverages in Canada and the U.S other than water, it has the worst effect on human beings as any other beverage. Because of this I will talk about how alcohol affects your body, advertising campaigns of alcoholic beverages, and most importantly how to take action.

First, I will talk to you about how alcohol affects your body and your life. Alcohol just like many drugs, it changes a person’s ability to think, speak and see things as they really aren’t. Alcohol loosens your inhibitions. You might not control yourself and you might make bad judgments. Also, it is very dangerous when people drive cars after they drink alcohol. According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organization, it is about 50%-60% of traffic accidents related to drunk driving. Drunk driving has become the leading cause of death by car accidents. It is very unhealthy for human beings if people abuse alcohol, because they will become addicted and depend on alcohol. Over time, it causes liver problems, damage the pancreas, heart, and brain. More seriously, people will have chronic alcoholism. Not only does it effects your body but it effects your budget. Drinking can cost a lot of money. Many people have been reduced to poverty and ruined because of drinking alcohol.

Second, something to be aware of, is the way alcoholic companies advertise their product, you should be smart because in many cases alcoholic advertisements use famous people to attract your attention and make you want to buy their product. Another thing companies do is they place wine coolers right beside fruit drinks so people who want to buy nutritious fruit drinks may pick one up that contains alcohol without realizing. Another thing to be aware of is the models in beer advertisement commercials are always fit and beautiful when really alcohol has the opposite impact and adds calories and little nutritional value. Advertisers hope that you will not notice these small mistakes, but you should use your better judgment and be careful not to get conned.

And last but not least how do we take action and fix one of the biggest problems in North America?

Although this issue is huge, fixing it is very simple. A good way to start is to make a pledge with a couple of friends you trust that you will stay away from alcohol and drinking, this is good because you wouldn't have to act alone and would make things allot more simpler for you. 2.If you are with anyone who has had a large consumption of alcohol you should call 911 because too much alcohol can cause the central nervous system, which controls breathing, to shut down. Death can result. 3. Do not drive with anyone who has been drinking, the best thing to do is call a relative or someone you know to pick you up and if that doesn't work out, you could always call a taxi. 4. If you know someone with a drinking problem encourage them to get help. 5. Try and make people aware of the effects of alcohol, for example make a presentation at school like this one. And last but not least if someone is pressuring you, you should call someone you know and trust and ask for help, because small decisions like these can affect your lives forever, and I urge you to put yourself and family before what others think of you.

Please cherish your life, make the right choices.

Thank you for listening to my speech. :)