July 10th: 8 years clean and sober. I know these people on a level which many may not understand. I would suggest that the only comments offered be those of prayer and condolence.
I'll offer prayer and condolences, but I'll also offer another comment:
Alcohol is simply bad. No one should consume it. Around 10% of the population develops a serious alcohol problem, and the huge number of resulting deaths and ruined lives -- in vehicle and other accidents, domestic violence, neglected children, etc. -- is unacceptable. Every time someone who doesn't have any problem with alcohol takes a drink of alcohol, or makes a reference to casual enjoyment of alcohol, that person is broadcasting a message that using alcohol is fun, enjoyable, and harmless. And that message is inevitably being broadcast to a group, 10% of which will develop a serious alcohol problem, and many others of which will become victims of someone with a serious alcohol problem even if they don't have one themselves. Nobody ever became an alcoholic without taking a drink. Don't drink it, don't serve it, and don't tell your kids to "wait 'til you're older" to drink it -- tell them "never". If you can't have a good time without drinking alcohol, you're already in big trouble.