Ladies and gentlemen,
alcohol is probably more dangerous than you're even aware. First, let's talk
about the common and everyday stuff. Remember that headache the last time
you were drunk? A direct result of the alcohol! The headache was probably
brought on by swollen arteries in your head putting pressure on your nerves.
And
what about your heart? Yes, the ticker takes a beating when you decide to
have a few too many. The organ's increased workload can cause attacks of high
blood pressure and irregular heartbeat patterns. In more extreme cases, there
can be permanent damage to the heart muscle and even death.
Who in
this room has puked while drunk? The excess of booze in your belly irritates
your stomach lining. Long-term abuse of alcohol carries with it an increased
chance of developing ulcers and cancer of the esophagus.
Last but not
least, my friends, we have the noggin. The brain. Probably the most common
proofs of drunkenness come in the muddled thought processes, the impairment
of motor skills and in the slurred speech. Did you also know that alcohol
is capable of causing unconsciousness, temporary and permanent
brain damage and, in extreme cases, death? Think about it.
While we
all have our own lives to lead and I certainly can't tell you guys what to
do, I can tell you this: life is beautiful. Although it can also be tough
sometimes, you'll never find the answers at the bottom of a bottle of beer.
Take care of yourselves -- and each other. Thank you.