The article Armani’s Think Before You Drink Campaign noted that this public awareness campaign is geared to young partygoers. As good as the campaign sounds, I feel that the message must be instilled in young people at a very early age – long before they even consider going to dance parties. That message must be instilled by their parents, guardians and role models.

I was born in 1963 and my father had a maternal uncle who enjoyed a little bit of Budweiser beer. Jim White was born in 1893 and he was a veteran of World War I. While my dad partook of beer from the container it came in, his Uncle Jim drank his Budweiser out of a sugar-bowl. Although I was quite young, I pleaded for a “sip” of the beer. I figured: “If it’s good enough for my dad and his uncle, it’s good enough for me”. Initially, I was denied. However, they both realised that it was a “teachable moment”, long before that phrase came into vogue.

I was allowed a small sip or two of beer... and that was the limit. That action would be considered illegal in today’s world but it was with valuable adult guidance and supervision, back then. By contrast, some neighbourhood parents let their kids run wild... and they knew no limits to either refrain, reduce or abstain. If it was “taboo”, they wanted to do it. In their later life, some wrecked their cars, wrecked their marriages and others wrecked their lives.

Very few people of my age can say they were taught prudence in drinking alcohol at the knee of a World War I veteran. Today, I like the occasional beer on a hot day or a small glass of wine with a suppertime meal. But, I may go many months at a stretch not desiring any type of alcohol at all.

Parents, teachers, and society need to lay down “ground rules” early and often... and consistency with such rules can save lives. While dance halls and taverns may preach “think before you drink”, they are still in business to “stay in business” by selling drinks to patrons.

There is a proper time, a proper place, a proper method and a socially acceptable decorum to be adhered to when drinking alcoholic beverages. Just like medicine, there is no room for abuse or misuse. The message should be: “Think before you drink... and know when to leave it alone”. People should never drive a vehicle while impaired. Get a sober “designated driver”. On the rare times when I minimally partake of a social drink I usually do so while at home at my bedtime hour, so I never endanger others.