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Storm system to exit US, leaving behind at least 39 dead and vast destruction from tornadoes, wildfires and dust storms; ME farmers, others hurt by USDA freeze on funding grants; SNAP, Medicaid cuts would strain PA emergency food system; Trash 2 Trends: Turning garbage into glamour to fight climate change.

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Secretary of State Rubio pledges more arrests like that of student activist Mahmoud Khalil. Former EPA directors sound the alarm on Lee Zeldin's deregulation plans, and lack of opportunity is pushing rural Gen Zers out of their communities.

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Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

Cost of Excessive Drinking in Texas: $16 Billion

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Monday, January 13, 2014   

AUSTIN, Texas - A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that at least 38 million Americans drink too much. According to Texas experts, the costs and dangers of binge drinking are especially acute for women.

Dr. Jane Maxwell, senior research scientist, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, said women who pre-party or try to keep up with men with their numbers of drinks are putting themselves at added risk of chronic health issues such as cirrhosis and cancers, and also for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexual assault.

"This is a risky combination, particularly if they play drinking games with the guys like beer pong or others. They're getting their BAC (blood alcohol content) up very high, very quickly, and a lot of times they don't really realize that they are at risk of losing control," Maxwell said.

Binge drinking is also linked to increased risks for car crashes, falls, burns and firearm injuries.

The CDC report also noted that only about one in six people talks to their doctor about drinking, although alcohol screening and brief counseling could help heavy drinkers cut their consumption by 25 percent. In addition to a greater focus by health care professionals, Maxwell said families also need to get involved.

"When I was growing up, one of the lectures from momma was, 'Don't get drunk because you might get pregnant.' When I ask people I'm lecturing to about that, other than the older women they look at me like I'm crazy - because mothers don't give that lecture very often," she explained.

In Texas, the yearly cost of binge drinking is estimated at $16 billion, which includes expenses related to health care, criminal justice and lost work productivity.

The CDC report is available at http://1.usa.gov. Texas substance abuse information is at http://bit.ly/1dfgprs.




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