The tendency of many of us is to cavalierly consider alcohol something other than a deadly drug that can be abused like any other substance of peril.

That’s a huge mistake, as illustrated by the latest high-profile cases where the drug alcohol was a fatal focal point. Last week, three fraternity members at Clemson University in South Carolina were charged with alcohol-related misdemeanors after a freshman died of alcohol poisoning during an off-campus party. The students’ activities did not directly lead to the death of the 18-year-old, but the three students, all members of the Sigma Nu social fraternity, face charges that include transferring beer and liquor to a minor and using fake identification to buy alcohol. Kansas University’s Sigma Nu chapter also experienced problems and was closed in 2005 after its charter was revoked as a result of hazing violations.

The youngster was not forced to drink at some gathering, a practice that has led to a number of tragedies over the years, including some sad incidents in Lawrence. But alcohol was made readily available and the youth consumed it in excess which led to his death. The freshman died of poisoning Dec. 9 at an off-campus Sigma Nu house with a blood alcohol level of nearly 0.38 percent. That is about five times the legal threshold for “driving drunk.”

The fraternity justifiably is on interim suspension. Officials are considering what actions to take against the three enablers in the case.

Periodically, there are local surveys indicating how much and how often our young people, from the junior high level on up, are involved with drugs, starting with alcohol and expanding to other harmful substances. But too often there is emphasis on marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs and the issue of foolish use of alcohol is pushed into the background. Alcohol abuse remains the No. 1 problem in the drug field for adults and youngsters alike and can never be considered “under control.”

Some 25 years ago, the Journal-World did an extensive series of articles on drug abuse problems. The message then was as valid as it should be today. The late Dr. Raymond Schwegler, then head of the Kansas University health service, declared, to the surprise of some, that he and his people found nearly a 15-1 preponderance of alcohol abuse problems among young people in contrast to trouble from “other substances.”

Alcohol is not some friendly substance that simply eases tensions, makes people seem happier and lessens inhibitions. It leads to physical abuse, murder by motor vehicle and, unfortunately, has the poisonous status to kill all by its seemingly benign self.