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Evaluation of The Effectiveness of a Policy

The Alcohol Policy encompasses a set of stricter alcohol rules that aim at shaping the role that alcohol plays in the American society. The stricter alcohol policies are principally governed by the federal law under the 21^st Amendment. Under the policy, the federal or States have the power to regulate and control alcohol manufacturing, sales, possession and consumption. Also, each individual state has the mandate to control the alcohol distribution channels, to decide who can drink alcohol and to address alcohol-related issues in their respective states. According to Burton et al (2016), the alcohol policy is effective in reducing alcohol related deaths, crimes and health implications. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the alcohol policy. As the paper argues, alcohol policy presents a series of long-term benefits such as reduce crimes such as homicides, save lives and improve on the health outcomes.

Alcohol has been associated with crime and violence with reports showing that it’s a key factor in nearly 40 percent of violent crimes in America. There is remarkable evidence that alcohol consumption has been linked to illegal gun possession and gun related violence. Psychologists claim that alcohol often trigger impaired judgment and often drive users into making irrational decisions that get them into legal problems. Further, alcohol is considered as key risk factor for homicides in America. In fact, nearly 50percent of the homicide cases implicate the use of alcohol by wither the culprit or the victim (Burton et al, 2016). Criminal reports indicate that nearly 40 percent of criminals confined for violent acts were under the influence while committing these crimes. Alcohol has played a precarious in other several crimes such as robbery, sexual assaults, child abuse, and intimate partner violence. Henceforth, the alcohol policies will not only reduce the rates of alcohol consumption but also reduce the impact of alcohol-related crimes and violence. For instance, a stricter alcohol rule that repeals alcohol offenders’ right to drink alcohol would help them clean up and save them from committing alcohol-induced crimes in the future.

Alcohol Policy is also effective as it helps save lives. A recent report claimed that the stricter alcohol regulations have the potential of saving more than 800 deaths annually. Burton et al (2016) confirms that the alcohol rules led to the arrest of more than a million people for driving under influence in 2016. As a result, the number of alcohol- related accidents largely decreased hence saving many deaths. Some States have gone to the extent of regulating the hours for sales of alcohol which has in turn helped reduce the on excessive consumption. In America, 21 is the minimum age for one to be legally allowed to purchase, possess or consumer alcohol. Thanks to this rule, the American youths have been restricted from alcohol use which has saved them from premature deaths linked to alcohol. Further, studies suggest that if the alcohol policy imposes a higher alcohol tax, approximately 35percent of alcohol-associated deaths will be reduced as well as violence and criminal offences.

Additionally, Alcohol Policy plays a vital role in minimizing the health implications caused by alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption produces adverse impacts on a person’s body, lifestyle, appearance, mental health and social relations. Heavy consumption of alcohol puts a person at the risk of incurring short term health effects such as headaches, dizziness, impaired judgment, accidental injury as well as causing road accidents. Excessive consumption of alcohol is linked to addiction and dependency which can lead to long-term impacts on one’s health. Alcohol addicts are at a higher risk of developing liver cirrhosis, stomach ulcers, or health related diseases such as hypertension. Regular alcohol consumption has been associated with infertility effects among men as it reduces testosterone levels while in women it affects their periods. Further, alcohol negatively impacts on the mental health by damaging the memory nerves which may lead to the development of dementia or stroke.

Burton et al (2016) argues that alcohol consumption is highest among individuals suffering from depression, schizophrenia or chronic diseases like cancer. Also, army veterans are linked to alcohol abuse and addiction. Alcohol use among these populations puts them at greater risk of developing suicidal thoughts or committing suicide. Therefore, the alcohol policy’s initiatives to regulate and control alcohol consumption will surely foster more positive health outcomes in America. The alcohol rules on limiting access of alcohol contribute in reduces the number of alcohol dependency and abuse reported.

In conclusion, the alcohol policy has proved to be effective based on the positive impacts it has on reducing alcohol-related violence and crimes and on saving lives. The alcohol policy has already helped reduce accidental deaths related to driving while drank. Further, health care will gradually improve as the policy will help decrease cases of alcohol- associated illnesses and health implications. Alcohol-dependency and addiction numbers will eventually be reduced as a result of the policy limiting access of alcohol.