We preach sensible drinking, then binge on the ‘12 pubs of Christmas’
The alcohol industry would have us believe that we are drinking less than we ever were, yet they fund a campaign to stop excessive drinking.
The supermarkets vie with each other to see who can sell the cheapest alcohol, regardless of the damage it causes.
The Government are still passing the Public Health Alcohol Bill into law, and it bears little resemblance to what was recommended by the steering group.
In the past number of weeks, we have heard testimony from family members who have lost loved-ones, directly or indirectly, because of alcohol abuse.
These families, and many others, have to deal with the heartache of the unnecessary, and untimely, demise of their loved-ones. Their lives have changed forever and every family celebration can be a struggle.
I am sure, as Christmas approaches, that more families will lose someone as a result of alcohol intake or alcohol abuse. There are, undoubtedly, tens of thousands of families who hate Christmas, and all that it brings, when there is a problem drinker in the house.
While we work on changing the law and the culture of binge-drinking, maybe a proactive approach would help save a few lives this Christmas?
Persuading someone to use a taxi would be a good place to start.
Publicans could provide high-visibility bibs for customers who decide to walk home.
The sham that is the ‘12 pubs of Christmas’ should neither be allowed nor encouraged.
This Christmas, ensure that anyone in your company who may be intoxicated, and a danger to themselves, gets home safely. With foresight, your compassion could be the difference between a happy or a tragic Christmas.
No doubt, there will be many near-misses that people will laugh about, but, unfortunately, there will be fatalities.
I would be only too happy if my words were proven wrong, but, somehow, I don’t think they will be.
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