The only solution to the problem of alcohol abuse is to introduce random breath testing for anyone out in public in the ‘problem’ areas such as Kings Cross, The Rocks and parts of the eastern suburbs at the times, such as Saturday nights, when there are revellers about.
Anyone drunk in public is a potential danger to society, just as anyone drunk behind the wheel of a car is a potential danger. It is about time we accepted that alcohol is a very dangerous drug that makes some people commit acts of violence, besides other acts they wouldn’t do if they were sober. Besides committing acts of violence, drunk people walk in front of cars, fall off balconies, wander off from parties and get lost in bushland, and go swimming in rivers where there are crocodiles.
The cost to the health system of alcohol abuse is enormous, and the burden on law enforcement is enormous – the police have got better things to do on Saturday nights than bundle filthy, abusive drunks into their vans and take them back to the police station. George Paciullo fought against great opposition to bring in random breath testing for drivers, but eventually went down in political history as a visionary. Whoever brings in random breath testing of pedestrians in trouble spots will eventually receive a similar accolade.
Bob Vinnicombe, Sefton
Why is alcohol becoming such an important part of one’s “lifestyle”?