USE OF ALCOHOL IN PUBLIC PLACES: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES Jur ăis Jur čenko, Alvis Lo čmelis, Santa Lo čmele Faculty of Social Sciences, Latvia University of Agriculture M. Putni Ħa, Dr. Paed. Faculty of Social Sciences, Latvia University of Agriculture, Liel ā iela 2, Jelgava [email protected] Abstract . This research "Causes and consequences of alcohol usage in public places", has been developed in Jelgava, 2010. Main objective of this research was to find out causes and consequences of alcohol usage in public places. Research contains four chapters and sub- chapters. First contains information about theories and forms of deviance. Second chapter contains information and terms about usage of alcohol in public places. Third chapter contains information about causes and consequences of alcohol usage. Usage of alcohol, especially in public places, is an actual problem, because it is harming health and welfare of our society. Key words: Deviance, alcohol usage, public places, causes and consequences . Introduction Our society is not as educated, as it should be, so it could not protect itself against many prejudices. One of them claims, that most of alcohol-addicts come from unsuccessful, poor educated, degraded families, and it is a problem of those people, and of society at all. Though, society consists of personalities. Alcohol-addict could be anyone - young or old, rich or poor, well educated or uneducated, professionals or casual workers. A small part of all alcohol-addicts are homeless, poor and uneducated. Most of them are educated, well made family people - and alcohol addiction could ruin their lives. An alcoholic is anyone whose drinking is a growing problem in any year of his life. People have been introduced to alcohol long time ago, but only today, while looking at offer of most stores - their true effect on organism can be forgotten. In most cases - alcohol is helping to get rid of the everyday problems, allowing to feel elated and fun, enhances courage and self-esteem. However, these are delusional feelings. „Alcoholism is the excessive use of alcoholic beverages, which adversely affects the health and harms the employment, household wealth and material conditions. The medical meaning of alcoholism is an irresistible, uncontrollable desire for alcoholic beverages. ” (Strazdi Ħš, J. „Alkoholisms- k ā iz ārst ēties no t ā”) Alcohol becomes as a norm in our society, and it is becoming a major problem. Problem: Usage of alcohol in public places has become a norm in our society. The area of research: Problems of alcohol users in Jelgava Subject of research: Usage of alcohol in Jelgava's public places. The main goal: To determine causes and consequences of this problem. Tasks: 1. To analyze literature on the theory of deviance forms and causes. 2. To analyze LR legislation and laws about alcohol use in public places. 3. To carry out an empirical study on the use of alcohol in a public place in Jelgava 4. To state the causes and consequences of alcohol use. Hypothesis: Actual deviance - Use of alcohol in public places is becoming a norm in contemporary society. 1. Theory and forms of deviance Term of Deviance is treated differently. Deviance can be defined as non-compliance to existing rules, which are accepted by significant number of people in community or society. (Giddens, A. 1993) Mean of deviance can be understood in different ways, but mostly this term is used in sociology and criminology. This is due to the fact that in these disciplines social phenomena and regularities are most deliberated. In today's sociology term - " deviant behavior " is widely used. Deviant behavior is an behavior, which violates standard social norms and values of given culture. Deviant behavior also can be indicated as an "abnormal". (Appelbaum, R., Chambliss,W.,1997) Abnormal, socially incorrect behavior can lead to, and promote different changes in structure of society. These changes can be rated as adverse (alcoholism, suicides, etc.) or favorable, which lead to prevention of deviance. That means - deviations must be identified, examined and organizational changes should be carried out. Light forms of deviance may lead to release from some habits. Because of traditional behavior and habit stereotypes, many means of relaxation have been invented As Durheim points out, existence of deviance, provides members of society with notion - what would be normal and acceptable behavior. (Appelbaum, R., Chambliss,W.,1997) Deviance leads to identification of those social behavior models, which are most acceptable to society itself. Later - most acceptable behavior model becomes a social norm. 1.1. Theory of Deviance The most significant theories of deviance are : Anomie, Theory of differenced association, Conflict, Theory of Stigma, Genetic theory. 1.2. Forms of Deviance We meet many forms of deviance every day. A couple last years those problems have been described and analyzed, what gives an opportunity to society, to look around the edges to processes, that really take place in modern day society. Most common forms are: drug abuse, suicide, prostitution, homosexuality, alcoholism, sexually transmitted diseases and children sexual exploitation. Alcoholism (dipsomania) - one of the forms of deviance, which includes usage of alcohol in quantities and time periods, that bring person to chronic alcoholism. Alcoholic is a person, who has multiple problems in and with family, employees, law enforcement and financial situation, because of use of alcohol. One of negative consequences of alcoholism include the fact, that the absolute majority (80 percent) for mentally ill children in the world, comes with a diagnosis of "dementia", the disease earned simply because their parents have not been able to refrain from excessive use of alcohol. (B. Zepa, A. Zobena., 1996.) Alcoholism historically is a problem of society and because of that, society is responsible for normal integration of alcoholics into society. 2. Alcoholism as form of deviance 2.1. Laws and regulations governing the use of alcohol in a public place Public place – a public place owned or possessed by a state or municipality and being available to public without any restrictions. Administrative Violations Code 171st Article - use of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances, and reside in the state of intoxication in public places. Use of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances, in public places, except in places where alcoholic beverages are allowed for the use by the municipality, or being in public places in a state of intoxication, which offend against human dignity - a warning or impose a fine of up to one hundred lats. About the same acts, if committed repeatedly within one year after the imposition of administrative fines - imposed a fine of twenty-five to two hundred and fifty lats or administrative arrest for a period of three to fifteen days. (Administrative Violations Code) Under the Law on Local Governments, the City Council is empowered to issue regulations, and provides administrative responsibility for the violation. For example, in Jelgava municipal regulations Nr. 24 "Jelgava City public policy" 1.15. provides that the alcoholic drinks and beer use in residential buildings, attics, basements and stairwells are sentenced to a fine of up to 10 lats. 2.2. Causes and consequences of use of alcohol Development of alcoholism is based on the biological, social and psychological factors. One of the main factors contributing the disease is genetics. If in the family had spread alcoholism, the younger generation have much greater potential risk. Situation can be improved if time is spent in normal social environment, with normal, working people - tendency of alcohol addiction problem may not appear. Children of alcoholics are less likely to become alcoholics (linked with inherited biochemical characteristics). Social conditions contribute to the development of alcoholism. The wider availability of alcoholic beverages is, the more frequently alcohol-related problems will occur. In our country, alcoholic beverages are widely available - they are commercially available in almost every food store and, what is important, the prices are also available. Alcoholic beverages are being sold to people, who are too young to use alcohol, and understand all the issues that can occur. Alcoholism is a disease, which requires treatment to be started as soon as problem is observed. The sooner the disease is being detected; the better will be the results of treatment. (Kalni Ħa, S. „Alkoholisms un t ā sekas”) 3. Research on alcohol use in public places 3.1. Methods of research To find out best possible solution against use of alcohol, especially in public places, it is important to obtain all the information available on causes and consequences of alcohol use. Questionnaire was made, which was later completed by the seized alcohol users - respondents, in various public places of Jelgava . This form contained 10 questions. Number of open questions – 2, closed – 5, half-closed – 3. 100 respondents were interviewed (n=100). Authors of this study used a survey method by which the author examined the current situation about drinking in public places, as well as the causes and consequences of use of alcohol. Surveys were conducted in January and February in Jelgava in various public places. 3.2. Results of research First question was - how do you define alcohol use, and 91% percents of respondents said, that it is the ability to dispose everyday problems, 4% said that alcohol increases courage and build's up self-confidence, 1% of the respondents mentioned that the use of alcohol as a degrading factor of today's society, while 4% said other definitions as a part of celebration, as a great form of entertainment, as well as "warming up" before the night club visits. The author observed that the respondents start consuming alcohol beverages at an early age.. After obtaining data of second questionnaire question, it was found that the age of 1-10, alcoholic beverages tasted as much as 98% of respondents.