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Jim Gogek
Jim Gogek
Problems caused by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) plague our society, touching everybody’s lives. Many of these problems already have answers, which can be found in the vast record of research on substance abuse.
Unfortunately, this research rarely finds its way into the public debate, so beliefs arise and laws get passed often without the benefit of this established body of science.
Atodblog.com is a discussion about how the science of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can change the world we live in. I’ll start the discussion, but I need your to help finish it. That’s what comments are for.
I’m a veteran journalist who has written about research-based solutions to ATOD problems for 20 years. I’ve completed two fellowships on communicating about substance abuse and worked as communications director for a national substance abuse research institute, director of an underage drinking prevention program and communications consultant to health organizations. I’m also on the board of the San Diego chapter of the American Lung Association of California.
All points of view are welcome in comments to atodblog.com, but please try to cite your sources. If you have ATOD research that needs exposure, want your website added to my blogroll, or need any other communication about this blog, please email me at atodblog@gmail.com.
I looked through the topics and found that many were interesting and news-worthy, but I was not sure that they advanced my scientific understanding.
I haven’t figured out here if Jim Gogek is a for real person who wants to help people or a fanatic who hates anything to do with ATOD? A good majority of his scientific antics are all old hat items that have for the most part proven not to be cures. Like Jim, I too, am saddened by unfortuate incidences but I also must honestly ask doesn’t a human have the right to demise his/her own fate? And, morbid or not, lets face it, if there was not another accidental or untimely related death other than natural causes there would be no way in heck we could take care of EVERYONE on the planet today. There is cause for thinning out of the species.
Great work Jim!
The Pedestrian 08 Campaign seeks to clearly communicate the limits of responsible drinking with ‘Responsible drinking ends at 08′ fairly well summing up our direction.
Some 70% of assaults in Australia are alcohol related. See http://pedestrian08.org/2010/08/30/massive-study-exposes-big-liquors-lethal-effects/
Clearly indicating the maximum, socially acceptable and legal drink-walking BAC and having the political courage to see it through – will break the back of this problem.
Every other previously proposed counter-measure such as a ban on advertising, sporting sponsorship, product placement, a minumum price on alcohol, etc, all need to be done.
If we can reduce Big Liquor’s binge drinking, alcohol fuelled violence, underage drinking and addiction, pedestrian deaths and injuries to 5% of current size a lot of lives will be saved.
Good luck with your efforts.
Mike Cockburn
The Pedestrian 08 Campaign
http://www.pedestrian08.org
I think blogs at their best exist to host a conversation — not necessarily win an argument.
What I see on this blog, and what is largely needed in local communities, is a frank discussion about public health policies. (And when you get right down to it to a discussion of individual rights and community rights.)
Just based on our history and culture, we Americans tend to default on the side of individual rights over community rights. That feels natural to us.
Unfortunately, this knee jerk reaction sometimes kills any opportunity for us to take a larger, reasoned look at drug and alcohol issues — to put ourselves in the shoes of those whose safety or quality of life is impacted by individual behaviors or poorly formed public polices.
We owe it to ourselves to talk often and openly about policies and practices that impact us all — not only drinkers and drug users, but family members, neighbors and, yes, even taxpayers.
I do agree that some public health advocates come across as trying to save the world from itself. At their worst they come across as moralists. I don’t think this blog does that; in fact I think it would grate on the host more than any of us.
The fact that he’s inviting comment says he’s open to talk — not engaged in propaganda. The fact that he’s asking people to cite their sources / research says he’s being smart about it.
Thanks for hosting the conversation.
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