At our local Walmart store, a 24-pack of 12-ounce cans of Bud Light, Miller Light, or Coors Light sells for $18.98 plus tax. That’s 79 cents per can. Not much, right? Seems pretty cheap. Of course, one 24-pack every two weeks adds up to over $493.00 per year plus tax. A 24-pack every week will bring a total of over $986.00 per year plus tax.
https://www.walmart.com/browse/food/all-beer/976759_2975985_2647504
However, whether a person has the money or not, alcohol contains a potential hidden cost, not printed on the receipt or listed in the ingredients. That cost will not appear in any of the numerous commercials that sports media and other forms of entertainment media air incessantly. That hidden cost is minimized, ignored, or covered up by those who profit greatly from alcohol sales. The strongest message apparently is, “Drink responsibly.” On the other hand, if you watch the nightly news or check the headlines, you will see the price of alcohol for what it is.
Could one drink – just one – begin a process that may ultimately cost $300 billion?
$300 Billion with a “B”
On December 9, 2021, in Corpus Christi, Texas, a jury awarded $300 billion to the family of a teen and her grandmother, who were killed in a 2017 crash with a drunk driver. In November 2017, 59-year-old Tamra Kay Kindred was on her way home after picking up her 16-year-old granddaughter, Aujuni Tamay Anderson, from her job at Cici’s Pizza, when the pair was suddenly hit and killed by a drunk driver who ran a red light. According to officials, the driver, Joshua Delbosque, had a blood alcohol level of .263 at the time of the crash. Delbosque also died.
A lawsuit states that Delbosque had left Beer Belly’s Sports Bar minutes before the crash, where he was served 11 alcoholic drinks. The bar would go on to be found guilty of overserving him. “Beer Belly’s clearly was trading money for the safety of their patrons and the public by continuing to serve an obviously intoxicated customer,” said John Flood, lead lawyer for the family. Another lawyer for the family, Craig Sico, added, “There is no justification for alcohol servers to blatantly ignore TABC rules designed to protect the public, which was the cause of these tragic losses.”
https://abc13.com/drunk-driving-crash-corpus-christi-300-billion-award-lawsuits/11316226/
It’s interesting to note that “Beer Belly’s” (what an inviting name!) would be held responsible for Delbosque becoming intoxicated. Obviously, that sports bar provided the “supply,” and Delbosque provided the “demand.” If there had been no Beer Belly’s, he would have had to find another source to satisfy his alcohol craving. You wonder, if someone had told him, “Drink responsibly!” how he would have responded as he became more and more inebriated. In any case …
The indisputable fact is that, if Joshua Delbosque had never taken his first drink, he and two other people would still be alive. Whatever becomes of the $300-billion-dollar award, the cost of alcohol in human lives in that case is immeasurable.
In the Bible
Issues with alcohol began early in the Bible. In fact, after the Flood (Gen 6-8), we read the following:
Gen 9:20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.
The Holy Spirit tell us this in the wisdom literature:
Prov 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
Prov 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine. 31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will utter perverse things. 34 And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. 35 “They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.”
“Drinker Shares What His First Beer Has Cost Him”
We also see all around us the pain and heartache that alcohol causes. In the Tennessean, October 8, 1998, a letter to Dear Abby bore the title, “Drinker Shares What His First Beer Has Cost Him.” Here it is.
Dear Abby: I have a message I would like to pass on to teenagers. I hope you will print it.
Young people, that first beer may carry a cost far higher than the $5 you pay for a six-pack. Let me tell you what beer cost me:
- A career in the Air Force because, after six years, I wanted to drink beer instead of report for duty.
- An accounting career, because I stole from my employer to buy beer.
- A close relationship with my parents and sister, because they don’t drink.
- A son and daughter. They have refused any contact with me for 11 years. I last tried to talk with them in October 1997, but they wanted no part of me.
- A close relationship with my wife and another son, because my wife doesn’t drink. I used and abused them until they had enough and cut me off.
- A secure future. I’m 53 with no savings, assets, or insurance.
- My driver’s license.
- Medical care. I fear what a doctor may find.
- My self-respect. I’m a loser, and there’s no reason to be sober.
In the 1970s, I attended AA and stayed sober for two years, but it didn’t last. Thirty-three years ago, when I drank my first beer, I had dreams and plans. I had no idea that I’d be a common laborer and a drunk in 1998. Before you start drinking, think where it may land you in 33 years.
Abby, I am one of the lucky ones. You may ask why I think I’m lucky. Well, I’m alive, and my drinking hasn’t killed anyone – yet. I wish there were a foolproof cure, but there’s not, so the only way to avoid ending up like me is to never risk drinking that first beer. Believe me, it’s not worth it. You may use my first name, but please don’t use my last name, because I don’t want to embarrass my family any further. – Donald in Florida
When someone offers you that first drink, even if it’s “free,” remember: there’s a very good chance you can’t afford it.
If only……
This is making a great impact to me and others. May God be glorified through your written word!
Thank you for this Cory, it is so true that that first drink is one in which we really don’t know where it will take us…… I was very lucky as a youth . I found my wife who held me fast to the dangers of it.
Thank you so much! I will share this timely message!
Cory,
Thank you so much for your thoughts on this important subject. Alcohol has now become an EPIDEMIC … within our society! It is becoming the norm! As Paul admonished to each of us, “Abstain From Every Form Of Evil” At no time in history of the world has there been a greater need to educate our loved ones (and every one else) about the dangers of Alcohol. As you said… “When someone offers you that first drink, even if its “Free” remember: There’s a very good chance you can’t afford it!” Thank you, as I will share your wise comments, with family and friends….
Excellent article brother Cory – and timeous as well!
Alcohol consumption is on the rise in our country since it is so freely available, and fairly cheap. But, as you pointed out – very costly when one looks at the personal cost and damage across the board.
Love you,
Ben.
As a child of an abusive alcoholic father, I can certainly attest to the dangers of alcohol. As a child, I promised myself that I would NEVER drink and haven’t. If only this could get out to everyone.