By M.H. Cavanaugh
Christian Action League
July 8, 2024
In a powerful editorial, Gabriella Korosi, a nurse working in addiction treatment, sheds light on the devastating impact of alcohol consumption. Her article, “Alcohol Is A Widely Available Destroyer of Life,” chronicles heart-wrenching stories and alarming statistics that underscore the urgent need for societal change. Rev. Mark Creech of the Christian Action League has echoed these concerns in the North Carolina General Assembly for more than two decades, emphasizing the moral imperative to address this pressing issue but all too often ignored by lawmakers on the question.
Korosi begins her editorial with a tragic account of a man who, after 30 years of sobriety, relapsed following a traumatic event and ultimately lost his life to alcohol. “One of the most painful stories I have heard as a nurse working in addiction over and over again,” she writes, highlighting the pervasive and insidious nature of alcohol addiction.
Drawing on her personal experiences, Korosi recounts the loss of her uncle in an alcohol-related car accident at the age of 19. This tragedy, among many others, fuels her passionate plea for awareness and action. “Alcohol is widely available and also a ‘societal norm’ to drink while for so many people all over the world, it causes sorrow, diseases, loss of family, and the ultimate sacrifice of their life,” she states.
The statistics Korosi presents are staggering. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol was responsible for 2.6 million deaths worldwide in 2019, a number that has since risen to about 3 million deaths annually by 2024. “It is estimated that alcohol contributes to around three million deaths worldwide per year. That is about five percent of all deaths each year,” she notes. The editorial further highlights that alcohol is linked to over 200 different diseases, making it a major public health concern.
Rev. Mark Creech, a staunch advocate for stricter regulations on alcohol, voiced his strong support for Korosi’s editorial. “Gabriella Korosi’s editorial powerfully underscores the devastating impact of alcohol on individuals and families. Her heartfelt stories and compelling statistics should serve as a wake-up call to our society about the urgent need for real action,” says Rev. Creech.
Rev. Creech emphasizes the broader implications of alcohol consumption, not just as a personal issue but as a societal one that demands our attention and advocacy. “As Christians, we must recognize that alcohol is not just a personal issue but a societal one that demands our attention and advocacy. The lives lost and the families shattered by alcohol-related tragedies are a testament to the urgent need for a cultural shift,” he asserts. “But what is so troubling to me is that you never hear of pastors and key church leaders addressing this issue from the pulpit anymore. Instead, they are imbibing themselves. Many of their congregants are “sipping saints.” Very few Christians today recognize how baneful the alcohol industry is?”
Karosi’s editorial also points to the significant increase in alcohol-related deaths during the pandemic, a period that saw a sharp rise in excessive drinking. “Alcohol deaths increased steadily over the past decade with sharp rises during the pandemic years. Overall, the national alcohol death rate has risen 70% in the past decade,” Korosi writes.
In response to these alarming trends, Rev. Creech continues to call for stronger community measures and policy interventions. “The Christian Action League stands with Gabriella Korosi in advocating for stronger community measures to combat excessive alcohol use. Together, we can work towards a future where fewer lives are lost to this preventable scourge,” says Rev. Creech. “This is the way it used to be. Thirty to forty years ago, if there was an alcohol referendum about to take place in a North Carolina town or city, every church of almost every denomination would unite to defeat that alcohol measure in their community. This isn’t the case today.”
Korosi concludes her editorial with a call to action, urging communities to implement effective strategies for preventing excessive alcohol use, enforce existing laws, and partner with healthcare providers to reduce alcohol-related harms. “If you know someone who is suffering from this disease, please help them to get the support they need. If you are suffering from excessive alcohol use and it is affecting your life, please seek help,” she pleads.
Rev. Creech echoes this sentiment, underscoring the moral duty to protect and preserve life. “Korosi’s poignant narrative about the personal and societal costs of alcohol should inspire us all to be vigilant and proactive in addressing this public health crisis. It is our moral duty to protect and preserve life,” he affirms.
As the Christian Action League and concerned individuals like Gabriella Korosi continue to advocate for change, the hope is that society will heed their call and take meaningful steps to mitigate the destructive impact of alcohol.
Perhaps someone in your family died from alcohol. Maybe it was from an alcohol addiction, a drunk driver, or an alcohol-related accident or disease precipitated by alcohol abuse. Won’t you please join us in our efforts to continue addressing alcohol use, abuse, and alcohol legislative initiatives in the state of North Carolina?
Here are the first steps you can take to join us in this cause:
1. Sign up for the Christian Action League’s weekly e-newsletter, The CAL Insider.
A well-informed Christian is an empowered Citizen Christian. There is no better source for keeping you informed on the irresponsible use of alcohol and reckless alcohol policies in North Carolina than “The CAL Insider.” You can have a positive impact for Christ’s sake on the direction of our state by signing up.
To sign-up click here and follow the prompts.
When you sign up, you will not only start receiving our weekly e-newsletter, but periodically you will get a Christian Action League “Urgent Action Alert.” These alerts, when necessary, will apprise you of critical alcohol legislative initiatives where your voice needs to be heard. You’ll be urged to connect with your state lawmaker or other public officials by email or a phone call. These alerts will help you easily engage them with your influence.
The Christian Action League promises not to share your contact information with any other group.
2. If you are on Facebook, “Like” the Christian Action League’s Facebook page.
Social media is also an important means for passing crucial information along to many of our friends who share our values.
To “Like” the Christian Action League’s Facebook page, go here.
3. While you are on Facebook, “Like” Rev. Mark Creech’s Facebook page.
You’ll enjoy what’s on Rev. Creech’s page, which doesn’t always have the same information as the Christian Action League’s page. Rev. Creech’s page often has funny stories, devotionals, and other meaningful posts. To “Like” Rev. Creech’s Facebook page, go here.
4. Please pray.
Pray for God’s blessings on the ministry of the Christian Action League. Pray that God will give the Christian Action League success for his name’s sake. These are complicated and perilous times that test the souls of men and women. Many challenging social issues threaten to undo us. The late Dr. Charles Stanley once wisely advised: “Remember, the shortest distance between a problem and the solution is the distance between our knees and the floor.” Please remember to pray!
