Alcohol abuse is a local epidemic

By John W. Ray - 11/03/2007

While the recent tragedy involving the girls hit on Blacktail Lane raises the clear-cut issue of personal responsibility regarding alcohol use or abuse, we have a tendency to overlook the local cultural causes of the problem. We do this because it is easy to blame individual failings for what is an epidemic social problem in Butte — alcohol abuse. Saying that people should be more responsible when they drink fails to address a local culture that tolerates, if not promotes, alcohol abuse. Consider: A proposed open-container law was defeated by the vacuous argument that Butte is unique and preserving Butte culture demands open containers. Doesn’t this send the message that alcohol abuse is no big problem? Carried to its logical conclusion, such an argument could lead one to say that terrorist bombings in Baghdad are no problem; that’s just Baghdad. Or one could argue, displaying nooses in public is no big deal; it is just part of southern culture. A wrong may be tolerated but that does not make it right. Just as tolerating nooses says yes to racism, saying that “That’s Butte” simply fosters tolerance of alcohol abuse.

George Everett had an interesting comment in The Standard. After visiting the National Folk Festival in Richmond, Va., he expressed surprise and amazement that there were no alcohol-related fights witnessed while he was there. There is something wrong with a local culture that expects alcohol-related violence at public events.

Our local government, including the zoning board, has yet to meet a casino/ bar proposal it doesn’t like. Butte’s growth industry is not tax-supported projects like Home Depot but bars, casinos, pawnshops and payday loan offices.

Before each home game, Montana Tech is promoting tailgate parties that prominently feature alcohol. Is this sending the wrong message that you can’t enjoy a game unless you have consumed alcohol?

St. Patrick’s Day has become an excuse for vulgar debauchery far removed from the religious purpose of the feast.

A study, I believe by the University of Michigan, some years ago found that Butte was unique in the extent of intergenerational alcoholism.

Of course, personal responsibility plays a major role. I am not advocating Prohibition. Those guilty of alcohol- related crimes should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Butte is not alone in the nation where 40 percent of all vehicular accidents have alcohol involved. Alcohol abuse is a major national health problem. Alcohol abuse exacerbates domestic violence and sexual assault such as date rape. But focusing on the cure-all slogan of per-sonal responsibility fails to consider the effect of a local culture whose norms advocate, or at least tolerate, alcohol abuse. Bars have a responsibility, and just saying “Drink Responsibly” isn’t enough. Citywide, parents have a responsibility, and parents can’t make a compelling argument to their children if they are themselves alcohol/drug abusers. Abusers have a responsibility; after all they are responsible for the harm they cause. But Butte as a community also has a responsibility.

Tolerating such alcohol abuse with the excuse that this is just Butte doesn’t help anything. Emphasizing personal responsibility fails to consider what causes drunk driving and alcohol abuse in the first place. Emphasizing personal responsi- bility is like telling a mental patient: Act normally and don’t be nervous. Butte has a dysfunctional alcohol culture that enables alcohol abuse. Butte’s alcohol culture places too much emphasis on alcohol as the primary means to relieve stress, escape, reward work, promote romance, get friends, fit in and achieve one’s social identity.

Tougher laws won’t fix the problem. Law doesn’t make people see what is right and studies have demonstrated that tougher laws have little deterrent effect on alcohol abuse. Law only intervenes after the fact; then it is often too late. Prevention must be the key, and prevention involves socialization and changing culture and norms that tolerate alcohol abuse.

Butte parents, government, churches and schools must address the problem if Butte is to make a significant dent in alcohol abuse. Sociologists have found that once there is a change in culture, the incidence of alcohol abuse decreases. Simply saying, “That’s Butte” will not improve anything.

— John W. Ray, 915 W. Galena St. in Butte, teaches a social problems class at Montana Tech which covers alcohol and drug abuse.