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Keller @ Large: Binge-Drinking Storm Batters Bay State

BOSTON (CBS) – What a terrible situation yesterday for people in Revere, our hearts go out to those left homeless or with badly damaged homes or businesses. I'm sure the broader community will be supportive of them during the long recovery process.

And thank God there were no immediate reports of serious injury, what a miracle. Especially when you consider the fleet of ambulances that had to be summoned to the Xfinity Center in Mansfield Saturday night, when binge-drinking by patrons of the Keith Urban concert got just a little bit out of hand. First responders say they treated 46 people at the scene and took another 22 to the hospital for treatment.

It's amazing – an extremely violent natural force attacks a city, and sober citizens manage to take cover. But on a calm, clear night at the concert, they're dropping like flies.

No one I've seen is blaming the venue. We're used to the fact that pre-game binge-drinking appears to be a must among hard-partying segments of the population.

But I wonder if we pay enough attention to the fact that this is not really fringe behavior in our state or country.

You can look at an animated map online that charts the frequency of binge-drinking in different states through flashing lights. Guess which relatively small state flashes the most alongside the mega-states like California and Texas?

Over the weekend the New York Times kicked up a stir by editorializing in favor of marijuana legalization.

But whatever problems that might bring are already dwarfed, wouldn't you say, by the self-inflicted booze tornado that's mowing us down like candlepins?

Listen to Jon's commentary:

Keller @ Large: Binge-Drinking Storm Batters Bay State

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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