Let’s have a real debate, not a closed one
Is it right that only those who completely abstain from drink can should be able to debate alcohol abuse?
Apparently Fianna Fail Senator Donie Cassidy believes that himself, Labhras O’Murchu and Peter Callanan and Seanad Cathaoirleach, Pat Moylan should be able to take part in this debate.
They are part of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and I admire their beliefs, it is not easy to live in a modern society that encourages social behaviour involving alcohol. However, how can it be a debate unless you get more then one side’s opinion.
Are we going back to dark ages, when one opinion was the only opinion and if it didn’t like it you knew where you could go? Have we not become more evolved and informed?
I am all for a debate in relation to alcohol, it is a problem with teenagers and adults alike. It is something that we cannot let go of, that the drink not taken will haunt us forever because we may have missed out on a great time, most won’t remember how they got home or what they did that night anyway.
I would like to see someone step up to debate this, not because it is the flavour of the month, a hot topic that politicians feel that they can look hip and trendy; in touch with modern life. This should be debated because it is a serious issue, something that can ruin lives and hurt others. It is part of the reason for the emergency room backlogs in hospitals.
We just need some common sense all around and to allow the opinions of all concerned to be heard.
Friday, February 29th, 2008 and is filed under Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
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Ann Says:
I haven’t heard about this debate but I would certainly welcome discussion at Dail level on this escalating problem.
I can see no reason for excluding pioneers from a debate on alcohol abuse.
It is not only pioneers who see alcohol abuse as one of the greatest menaces to our society and it will take many resolute minds to come up with fresh legislation that will help tackle the problem.
And what about preventative measures? What is being done to stop the A&E backlogs that are a direct result of alcohol abuse by different age groups?
The PSNI has started confiscating alcohol from unde -age street drinkers but yet they are faced now with an even bigger problem - parents who go into off licenses to buy the drink on their under-age children’s behalf. ( as reported in the Irish News)
The whole situation is spiralling out of control and when added to a drugs culture that is plaguing our streets and cities one has to ask why more is not being done.
Thanks, Mike, for raising this subject here.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:55 pm