Col

"I have not blamed the victim ... "

You just don't get it, Col. You keep saying you don't blame the victim and yet you're constantly putting the boot in to alcoholics and binge-drinkers. They are the victims here. The people who might be adversely affected by their actions, which includes all of us, are secondary rather than primary victims in this debate.

As pointed out by examinator, many of these people have a genetic and physiological predisposition to succumbing to the addictive effects of alcohol much more readily than others might. I'm one of these people, so the following comments are based on cold hard experience and much research, I haven't just plucked them out of the air.

Many people, quite frequently unknowingly, suffer highly fluctuating blood sugar levels which can lead to a spaced-out head, anxiety, depression and much more. They actually feel bloody rotten most of the time and alcohol is often the only thing they've latched onto at that stage that will help them achieve a feeling of normality.

It's very easy for people who haven't been there to be judgemental and tell these victims to just get a grip on themselves, when they actually have no concept of what they are asking those people to do.

That's where you're coming from, Col, and with respect I suggest it's a position of ignorance.

Col (cont)

"When in the privacy of ones’ own home, people should be free to indulge their excesses as much as they want (I suppose so long as they keep the noise down – neighbours should not be disadvantaged)."

This statement exemplifies the selfishness of the extreme libertarian 'You can do what you like as long as it doesn't affect me' position. I'm not advocating police raids or any intrusions on people's privacy, but if we all adopted your head-in-the-sand I'll-be-right attitude, no one with alcohol problems would ever receive help.

Even if they aren't annoying you or anyone else, they could well be in a position that requires professional help or broader community assistance. Measures such as taxation, advertising bans, age restrictions and more are designed to assist all alcoholics and binge drinkers, even those who don't overtly present as having a problem. That's what an intelligent and caring community does.

'Tough love' and penalties should only be used as last resort measures, and then only in conjunction with support and assistance to aid recovery.

Dear examinator,

Me unfaithful?

No, no, no ... never! (Well, maybe just a little -
blame it on the night and the music).
But, I've saved the last dance for you! :)

As for my nephew... I only hope that you're
right and he will grow out of it. Unfortunately
at present he's in a small rural town up north,
and I feel that not having too many outlets
for entertainment is part of the problem.

I say that it all comes back to being the responsibility of the parents.

Any under aged person, found drunk in a public place should be taken home and the wages/pension, or what ever income the parents receive should be garnished to pay the bill.

I am sick and tiered of seeing my tax dollars wasted on these types of miss fits.

I have been told that a druggie who is admitted to hospital for O/Ding can have up to 10 hospital staff attending only to have them re-offend at a later date. Meanwhile, some elderly lady dies in the waiting room waiting to be attended.

Enough is enough, wake up to your selves you do-gooders, it's time we re-claim our rights to walk the streets in total safety.

Make the parents pay. After all, they are the ones who are now being paid 5 grand to have these miss fits.

God I hate being negative, but what else can we do other than demand our rights as law abiding citizens

Foxy who?
Sorry no crawling back now I’ve moved on. That’s my last word I do have pride...Well, seeing that you asked nicely I guess I could be magnanimous. ;-)

Col,
Thank you for your measured response greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately you haven't read all my posts.
If you had you would known the following.
• My adopted dad was an alcoholic
• I spent most of my adult life involved in the front line dealing with issues exactly like this through various volunteer and community organization. Including 3 years as a suicide shift councillor and 6 years on trouble team in crisis intervention.
• Tough love on its own simply moves the problem there is more to it than that. On its own it can and often is interpreted as rejection which simply feeds further complex issues which can add to the intractability of the problem.
• I have in a family member who needs tough love i.e. He needs to know that he is loved BUT we/I don’t accept his antisocial behaviour.
I speak from wide battle hardened experience. I could note that had you seen more of the problem you might see that it isn’t only a matter of lack of self restraint it is far more complex. AA and Al Anon are good but don’t work for all.

I also referred to deterrents (the crimina/financial sanctions that supported the prohibition.) I could also point to double demerit points and fines over the festive season but still we suffer the carnage. Note also that while deaths are relatively declining (arguably safer vehicles) the debilitating injuries that have consequences on the public/economy are increasing.
Aunty’s demise was in context of the lack of absolute uniqueness of symptoms to charging the drinkers for hospital services (your suggestion).
Can I perhaps you view my posts more in a contextual frame than a line by line analysis.

Dear examinator,

I can't believe your magnanimity. You don't have a
selfish bone in your body. You've really gone out
of your way to make this sacrifice for little me?

But you know what? I've decided it's not fair of me
to take advantage of your bigheartedness. You're too,
too, chivalrous.

So keep your magnanimity and your
kind offer. I really couldn't forgive myself by
taking advantage of it. I'll simply have to live with
the fact that I've let you down, broken your heart.
Saucy temptress that I am ! You see I can't really
promise to stay faithful... And I wouldn't want to
break your heart again. That would be too cruel!