Health professionals will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the state Capitol to discuss the risks and benefits of drinking alcohol. Thursday is ‘Alcohol
Awareness Day’ at CapitolInformation about treatment
programs will be providedStar-Bulletin staff
Alcohol Awareness Day -- Hawaii will be observed as part of National Alcohol Screening Day.
The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition will provide information about alcohol-related problems, and people will have an opportunity to talk privately to health professionals.
Pamphlets, brochures, flyers and information on local treatment and support resources will be provided.
M.P. "Andy" Anderson, chief executive officer of Hina Mauka, a treatment program, said current research is often confusing and sometimes contradictory.
"For most adults, moderate alcohol use -- up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people -- causes few if any problems," he said.
One drink, Anderson said, is defined as 12 ounces of beer, a wine cooler, a 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
However, he said, drinking any alcohol could result in significant health problems or sometimes death for people with a family history of alcohol abuse or who are taking medications, for pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant. Some medical conditions could be aggravated by drinking, Anderson said.
"Education, awareness and understanding, the kind of outreach provided by 'Alcohol Awareness Day -- Hawaii,' are key factors to reducing problem drinking in this state," he said.
The program is sponsored by the state Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division, the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, state Sens. Suzanne Chun Oakland, David Matsuura and Bob Nakata and Reps. Dennis Arakaki and Nestor Garcia.