The national hangover: six ways to cure it
>(1) Attitudes must be changed. Abuse must be seen to be selfish, anti-social and stupid. A series of TV ads could be run much like the drink-drive campaign. These also need to be confrontational.
(2) A blanket ban on TV alcohol ads. After all, it was done with tobacco
(3) Removal of intoxication as a mitigating circumstance in court cases. Its mere existence is an indication of the toleration of alcohol abuse.
(4) Prosecution or fining of parents of minors arrested for drink-related offences. Of course, you can’t have responsibility without authority, so parental authority needs to be reinforced by the state. The minors themselves to undergo drink counselling.
(5) Removal of any form of compensation for people who have been injured as a direct result of being drunk.
(6) Mandatory sentencing for those who commit violent crimes where alcohol is involved.
The key is individual responsibility. In recent times much attention has been focused on the individual’s rights without a corresponding focus on his or her responsibilities to society. To paraphrase Montessori, “you are free, but not free to take away another’s freedom.” Alcohol abuse does exactly that.
Nick Folley,
36, Ardcarrig,
Carrigaline,
Co Cork.
