NO ALCOHOL IS SERVED IN GLASGOW OR BARREN COUNTY.
Reality:
Alcoholic beverages often are served during functions at locations including Cave City Convention Center, Barren River State Park Lodge, Glasgow Country Club and other locations both public and private.
Myth 2:
ALCOHOL-RELATED CRASH RATES ARE LOWER IN DRY COUNTIES.
Reality:
A study by David J. Hanson, Ph.D., of about 39,000 alcohol-related crashes in Kentucky found that a higher proportion of "dry" counties' residents are involved in such crashes. His analysis suggests that residents of dry counties have to drive farther from their homes to consume alcohol, thus increasing their impaired driving exposure.
Myth 3:
ANY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DESTROYS BRAIN CELLS.
Reality:
Moderate alcohol consumption does not destroy brain cells. In fact, it is often associated with improved cognitive (mental) functioning.
Myth 4:
DRINKING LONG ENOUGH WILL CAUSE ONE TO BECOME AN ALCOHOLIC.
Reality:
There is no scientific basis for this misperception. As a governmental alcohol agency has explained, "Alcohol no more causes alcoholism than sugar causes diabetes."
Myth 5:
ALCOHOL ABUSE IS A GROWING PROBLEM AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
Reality:
Heavy alcohol use among people in the US 17 years of age or younger actually dropped by two-thirds (65.9 percent) between 1985 and 1997, according to federal government research. Similarly, alcohol-related traffic injuries and fatalities among young people continue to drop.
Myth 6:
ALCOHOL ADVERTISING INCREASES DRINKING PROBLEMS.
Reality:
Hundreds of scientific research studies around the world have clearly demonstrated that alcohol advertising does not lead to increases in drinking abuse or drinking problems. Alcohol advertising continues because effective ads can increase a brand's share of the total market.
Myth 7:
THERE IS NO ADVERTISING FOR ALCOHOL IN GLASGOW AND BARREN COUNTY.
Reality:
Alcohol-related advertising is found many places in Glasgow and Barren County. Television, radio & out-of-market newspapers are just a few examples of where alcohol-related advertising can already be found locally.
Myth 8:
IF ALCOHOL WERE LESS AVAILABLE THERE WOULD BE FEWER ALCOHOLICS.
Reality:
This is an idea that has been tested through prohibition in the US and a number of other countries. There is no association between the availability of alcohol and alcoholism.
Myth 9:
GOING WET WILL LEAD TO A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN D.U.I. ARRESTS AND CRASHES.
Reality:
Without exception, the cities in Kentucky that have gone wet since 2000 have seen their D.U.I. rates remain static or drop. In other areas of the state D.U.I rates have risen, but that rise can be attributed to increased enforcement in both dry and wet communities.
(see also "Myth 2" above)
Myth 10:
GLASGOW IS TOO SMALL A COMMUNITY TO DEAL WITH ALCOHOL SALES.
Reality:
Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Shelby County, Danville, Georgetown, Central City, Murray and Kuttawa all have gone "wet" since 2000. These communities, most similar in size or even smaller than Glasgow, have experienced no problems since introducting alcohol sales. "It's gone quieter than I expected," the Associated Press quoted Tim Thomas, former state trooper and leader of "wet" opposition in Elizabethtown's last vote, as saying.
Myth 11:
MORE THAN A DOZEN RESTAURANTS WILL BEGIN SERVING ALCOHOL IF GLASGOW GOES WET.
Reality:
There are slightly more than a dozen restaurants in the city limits of Glasgow that technically would qualify to serve liquor if a wet vote were to pass. However, several of these are national chain "family style" restaurants that, as a matter of policy, do not serve alcohol in ANY of their restaurants. Even if all remaining qualifying restaurants in Glasgow were to serve alcohol (and it's doubtful that all would), it would mean somewhere between 5-8 restaurants.
Myth 12:
ALCOHOL ISN'T IMPORTANT TO TOURISM.
Reality:
As an example: Drive to Bowling Green and count the number of kilts at restaurants there during the Highland Games. Untold tourism revenue is lost by remaining a "dry" territory. The Kentucky League of Cities, The Kentucky Tourism Council & the West Kentucky Corporation (a 44 county economic development organization) all have gone on-the-record as recognizing the validity of studies showing that local option can be a determining factor in where industry, tourists, retirees, fine dining restaurants, attractions and conventions will go.
Myth 13:
RESTAURANTS WON'T LOCATE SOMEWHERE JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN SERVE ALCOHOL.
Reality:
The local newspaper went to great lengths to prove this point during the last wet/dry vote in Glasgow. While technically true, the other side of this argument wasn't even mentioned. While some of these restaurants may or may not locate in a wet territory, they won't even CONSIDER locating in a dry one.