Kudos for Leslie Turk's wonderful coverage warning parents about the problems of alcohol abuse and other binge behavior, especially among young people ("Message in a Bottle," Oct. 4). Abuse of alcohol can cause predictable, well-defined and profound health problems costing individuals and the community millions of dollars each year. The Independent has performed a timely public service alerting the public to the painful minority effects of our boon companion, alcohol. Still, I do think a few extending comments might be made. Readers should know that the overwhelming majority of drinkers actively benefit from the consumption of alcohol in their lives and diet. Most of the time, for most people, alcohol contributes strongly to a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Again, thank you for a fine article, especially when the focus was on the appropriately narrow problem of alcohol abuse. Please do keep up the very good work of a locally-owned newspaper.