04
Aug
Posted by: StevieD // Category:
Life

There’s a lot of debate going on at the moment over alcohol, binge drinking, the young and taxes in this country. In many ways that’s not unusual because I think it’s a continuing debate. However another young 15 year old died this past weekend from binge drinking and it’s made it to the media madhouse. Now don’t misunderstand, as many of you know I have a major issue with alcohol and binge drinking and drinking to get drunk.
The story HERE caught my eye today and not so much the story but reading through the comments just made me realise how heavy this debate is. For those particularly who are not in Australia, it may pay you to read this story and comments because there are a few factors that are influencing my view, such as:
In Australia, a new tax has been implemented to curb young people drinking, however the tax is only on premix drinks. The legal age for drinking is 18, not 21 as in the U.S and other such factors. I don’t know how to fix the alcohol issues in this country, and I don’t know how other countries are on this issue, however I know the problems are not a one piece solution. You have to take into account all factors such as the local society or culture, the legal drinking age, the alternatives etc.
For me I am concerned because the drinking culture in this country is disgusting. The young are too young to understand and manage alcohol. They are not generally responsible, but neither are many adults. I do think the legal drinking age is too young, but at the same time our liquor licensing system is off. Clubs and pubs are allowed to stay open way to late, clubs and pubs don’t really monitor drinking levels unless you become obvious even though there are laws and fines and parents have to teach, if not abstinence then responsible drinking. I mean as one commenter mentioned in the article and I’ll expand on it, maybe there should be compulsory breath testing and no serving of alcohol if you are over the limit.
The other factors are we don’t nurture strong kids so peer pressure is a big factor. So is escapism because people turn to alcohol to forget, the saddest thing I heard once was someone who said if they go to a club they have to get drunk to have a good time.
No matter what, society as a whole has to work towards a solution because I believe it’s possible. The government fund all these independent think tanks, so how about they work on some serious issues. I’m not an idiot, I know that as much as a government promotes the problems of alcohol abuse, they don’t really do much about it, probably because they make to much money on taxes. I hope the government lead the way and find a solution. By saying that I don’t believe it is there job, as it does involve everyone, however the government are our leaders and at least need to lead the way.
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