I'm so sick of enduring the tiresome and hideous  list of possible side effects of various drugs apparently mandatory in verbal form, though often accompanied by romantic background music to soften the effect. Who needs to ponder the downside of backing up your depression medicine as they're drifting off to Late Night Pundits, Inc. Considering  the fact that they are prescription drugs, a simple "the serious side effects of __(Zorflex)_____ demand a physician's advice before taking" would suffice. Or perhaps a fraction, expressing the effectiveness of the drug versus the dangers of taking it. A 1/10 being the worst.Â
 In addition, watching one of several sexy alcohol ads, from beer to Vodka; I wonder if the side effects of that particular scourge, from Rome on down,  were added in similar fashion to the mandatory ones for prescription drugs, just how appealing those ads would be?Â
Instead of "please drink responsibly",an oxymoron if I ever heard one; How about....
"Each ounce consumed destroys 4000 brain cells for good, as well as compromising your blood pressure, metabolism, immune system, speech, muscular control and visual acuity. Incidence of heart attacks, cancer, memory loss, depression, and various other conditions such as diabetic drug interference with a good chance of heart failure if consumed in association with those or any pain killers, muscle relaxants,uppers, tranquilizers, Â or sleeping medication exists...Â
""to say nothing of probable marriage failures due to sexual impotence and the usual abusive behaviors associated with alcohol use, as well as driving accidents, including manslaughter charges and lengthy incarceration for repeat offenders. There's a good chance of child abuse and crimes in general, antisocial behavior being a basic ingredient of drunkenness; not to mention the addictive nature of the mix."Â
...all of which suggests you should only be able to buy alcohol with a prescription, or that all personal use of other actually less harmful "socially accepted' drugs; should be similarly legalized; given their relative risk of abuse,  and therefore ritualized, including  the observance of a legal age, as with alcohol, for their use.Â
Of course, there isn't time enough nor space, to say nothing of inclination.
-Molly Cruz
Costa Rica