Alco Pops
Australia’s binge drinking culture sure is a divisive issue. But to put it simply we have two options. Stand by and do nothing and risk the $16bn alcohol toll escalating further out of control, or do something to break the cycle and make us a safer country.
Last week, when I asked the readers of The Punch for a solution, there were some comments which suggested that I wanted to turn Australia into a nanny state.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. And just so we’re crystal clear I don’t want to or ever plan to introduce prohibition.
Continue reading "No silver bullet in the binge drinking debate" »
Look into the faces of those dozens of people glassed in violent incidents in our pubs and clubs in recent years and you’ll know that we have a problem. Those faces are worth more than any of the words I’m writing on this topic at the invitation of The Punch.
The images of our young people fighting on our streets with total strangers whose paths have they have crossed by chance, makes you wonder if we’ve got it right as a society. We shouldn’t live in a wowser state. I am clear on that.
Equally, we shouldn’t live in a state where our very human pursuit of enjoyment takes us down a darker path where alcohol becomes the end in itself.
Continue reading "We should not accept drunken violence as normal" »
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Kevin says:
Why only educate teens and students Rebecca? Doesn’t adults also binge drink? Read more »
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kevinoz says:
And can Andrew and The NSW Government provided evidence, that those wearing Burqa are a security and safety risk? No then they have proven their ban on Muslim women wearing Burqa is not a ID issue, but a racism issue and spreading community alarm based on lies. Read more »
I used to be a cop. I’ve seen firsthand the damage that alcohol can cause when mis-used. Along the way I became a dad and, like most parents, worry about my kid’s safety. Now, I find myself as Managing Director of Brown-Forman Australia, proud makers of Jack Daniels.
I’m not sure which role has given me the sharper insight into life as most of us know it but if you think that this country recently had a ‘debate’ about alcohol policy, you’re dead wrong.
What was supposed to pass for a war on binge-drinking has turned out to be a well meaning, but badly aimed, paint-ball skirmish – messy, misdirected and ultimately without lasting impact.
Continue reading "Ban being drunk in public if you want to stop violence" »
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Jasper says:
Gee Brian, I’d like to see you utter that opinion if it was one of your relatives who received that treatment. Read more »
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Brian Ward says:
Taser all the thugs into submission. No warning. No second chance. You act violently, you get fried. Read more »
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