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Similar to many in the Fox Valley, I celebrated this holiday season by raising several toasts and, in fact, found myself attending more gatherings than usual during my year-end break.
However, I don't particularly enjoy alcohol. My father passed away due to excessive drinking, and you might recall a special feature from Copley Newspapers in 1997 that included my name, titled "Generations Under the Influence." This piece delved into my personal experiences, accompanied by the stunning photography of Brian Plonka, highlighting the complex relationship our society has with alcohol.
That’s why I felt both delighted and curious when I discovered that the city of Aurora was embracing the “Dry January” movement. I sincerely hope that more individuals will join in this initiative as a means of contemplating the impact alcohol has on our lives.
While some may view Aurora's announcement as merely a publicity stunt, I believe it holds significant importance.
And it’s certainly appropriate, given that the U.S. surgeon general recently made waves by declaring an undeniable connection between alcohol and cancer, which justifies the implementation of warning labels on all alcoholic drinks.
Certainly timely, but city officials maintain that Dr. Vivek Murthy’s announcement was merely coincidental, as arrangements had been made a week in advance to promote a city-sponsored Dry January.
City spokesperson Clayton Muhammad stated that it was the professional connections that Invest Aurora CEO Kelly O’Brien forged with Dr. Michael Caldwell, the chief medical officer at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, which initiated the process.
In January 2023, Meharry, one of the four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that offer medical programs in the United States, was designated as the official U.S. headquarters for the International Dry January Campaign. This initiative, which originated in Great Britain more than ten years ago, has recently gained traction in cities like Nashville, Philadelphia, Chicago, and now Aurora. In a show of support, Aurora illuminated the Pedestrian Bridge over the Fox River in yellow, the designated color representing Dry January.
For Meharry, which has dispatched several medical students to engage in Aurora’s initiative, this involvement is logical. Alcohol ranks among the top three preventable causes of death in the United States. Studies indicate that a month of abstaining from alcohol can significantly reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the risk of diabetes—issues that disproportionately affect minority populations.
However, it is widely recognized that alcohol misuse transcends ethnic and socioeconomic lines. We could all benefit from taking a moment to reflect on our consumption habits or consider cutting back.
It was to be expected that Aurora would face some backlash regarding its involvement in what some critics label a liquor boycott. After all, alcohol plays a significant role in the thriving restaurant and entertainment scene downtown. Encouraging people to cut back or refrain from drinking for a month would undoubtedly lead to a significant drop in those profitable bar tabs.
When Bernie Laskowski, the proprietor of Craft Urban Restaurant located in downtown Aurora, learned about the concept, he felt a surge of enthusiasm.
Instead of negatively impacting businesses, as many people believe, Dry January actually proves beneficial, according to Laskowski, whose restaurant has been offering “mocktails” to cater to its family-oriented customers.
"In a press release issued by the city, he emphasized, 'We embrace the creative challenges and opportunities that arise within our restaurant community, and we strive to help individuals recognize that health and wellness are within reach.'"
The main concept is to inform participants in Dry January that "you can still go out and enjoy yourself. We have alternatives available for you," Muhammad stated, noting that other businesses in the downtown area have enthusiastically "joined the initiative."
In the eastern region, Joe Chura is also embracing the Dry January movement.
Chura, who lost his father to complications related to alcoholism, launched Go Brewing in Naperville in 2023, marking it as Illinois' first nonalcoholic (NA) brewery and one of the few taprooms nationwide. As the new year begins, media reports highlight his achievements, which encompass an award-winning NA craft beer, distribution across 20 states, and partnerships with major retailers like Costco and Jewel Osco.
Although I couldn't reach Chura before the deadline, he mentioned in a recent conversation with "Eater Chicago" that his business experienced a complete sellout during Dry January last year. As a result, they proactively increased their inventory and established collaborations with local brewing companies to meet the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages.
I’m aware of several individuals, including some relatives, who have attempted Dry January. Although none of them completely eliminated alcohol after the month was over, many significantly reduced their intake. They often share how much better they felt during that time, experiencing benefits like enhanced hydration, improved sleep quality, decreased puffiness and bloating, and a clearer understanding of their drinking patterns.
A new year has arrived. It's a fresh beginning.
As Muhammad stated, “These are the small steps we can take … it’s all about creating momentum.”