Stricter Alcohol Laws

[Ryhanna]

I was on Facebook earlier and saw that almost ALL my teenage friends were joining pages and groups about getting drunk. It really saddens me to think that these kids are going out drinking. Theres so much more they could be doing, yet they choose to waste their lives getting drunk - BEFORE it's even LEGAL for them to drink!

I personally think there should be tougher drinking laws. Such as an alcohol license. Not a responsible serving license but a license to prove you're
over 18 for starters. (Or 21, in the US.) How this license works is, you get the license when you turn that age (or maybe a responsible drinking test would be better..) and if you're caught drink driving - You get a strike on your license, or a demerit. Buying alcohol for underage people also results in a strike (also a fine for these things btw.) You reach 3 strikes, you're alcohol license is taken away (along with other alcohol punishments) aand you cannot purchase alcohol for a given time.

Also, for those who have had their drinking license suspended, you have to go through a breathiliser test each day until you're license is reinstated. If your found to have been drinking, you will surve a further suspension. If a friend is found to have given you the alcohol, their license will also be immediatley suspended.

The end result: Less alcohol fuelled violence, less drink driving, and less underage drinking. We really need to come down on these people. Lives are being lost because people are too irresponsible to drink.

What do you think of this suggestion? Have you got improvments/ a better suggestion?

[Jove]

You don't stop an illegal activity by making it more laws about it. It just doesn't work.

[Sycron]

I dont think it would work that well. if someone loses their license they can still get access to alcohol anyway and it'd be a very difficult law to enforce for that and many other reasons.

[Ryhanna]

You don't stop an illegal activity by making it more laws about it. It just doesn't work.

Woah woah woah. Then suggest how? Yeah?
Laws are the best way to stop it, it's just a matter of authorities being able to stick to it. Sometimes I think they don't try hard enough to do anything...

[Sage]

Putting more restrictions on alcohol just makes consuming it under the age all the more hip and enticing. But hey, thanks for playing.

[Jove]

Woah woah woah. Then suggest how? Yeah?
Laws are the best way to stop it

Do you not see the connection between the Law and illegal activity?

[Mr. Smithers]

The drinking laws we have now are fine. The problem is today, that if the rest of your friends are jumping of a bridge, would you?

[karl]

Seeing anyone, young or old getting drunk really scares me, as alcohol destroyed my family, my dad is trying to stop drinking and has gone more than a month without a drink, and I can only pray that he keeps it up, but it's not the first time he's tried. I hope I never drink, but can I really say never?

[Sage]

Seeing anyone, young or old getting drunk really scares me, as alcohol destroyed my family, my dad is trying to stop drinking and has gone more than a month without a drink, and I can only pray that he keeps it up, but it's not the first time he's tried. I hope I never drink, but can I really say never?

And this adds... what, exactly, to the debate?

[BuryYourFlame]

New laws wouldn't do anything, except make a lot of people very pissed off. If people want alcohol, they would find some way to get it.

[karl]

You're right, it adds absolutely nothing to the debate, sorry I'm off now to have a few gin and tonics, bye!

[Sage]

You're right, it adds absolutely nothing to the debate, sorry I'm off now to have a few gin and tonics, bye!

If you have an actual stance on the issue of changing alcohol laws or keeping them the same, then don't beat around the bush and just say it. It's not clear where you are on this issue from your posts in this thread. Also, unspoken rule on RotW, you're only allowed to use sarcasm if you've got a good point to make.

[obiwan94]

Honestly I truly believe that there is no solution and that there will never be a solution unless you want to enact draconian laws and live in a dictatorship (muslim countries). Alcohol and alcohol abuse have been around ever since we crawled into caves I'm sure. Historically, attempts to regulate alcohol have ended in terrible failures (just look as the US prohibition era). Rather than criminalizing more of your population, I think a better solution would be to try to change the social context of drinking...ie, not make it a "cool" and "rebellious" thing to do. Parents also have the responsibility to monitor and make sure alcohol and drugs arent being abused. As for adults...I'd say just make tough laws on alcohol fueled violence and drunk driving. That way people can enjoy themselves as much as they wish, but are held accountable for anything they do that is stupid while intoxicated.

[karl]

What I meant to say was I hope someone does something to stop alcohol abuse and the violence it causes and I don't know what that something could be

[Sugaree]

How is it the kid's fault that they drink? It's the parent's fault for putting the liquor in a place that is easy to reach or they don't put a lock on the cabinet. The laws are just there for legal purposes. Now, here in the US the legal age is 21 (18 if you're in the UK or Australia), and I think this is a good enough age. Now, it's already seen as "cool" and "hip" for teenagers to drink, but joining a Facebook group doesn't mean shit.

Do you really think your friends have drunk alcohol? They're probably just trying to be cool and fit in. Do you have proof that they partake in drinking? Have you SEEN them do it? Unless you have proof, you're up shit creek.

Once again, it is NOT the kid's fault that they got a hold on the alcohol. It's the parents fault for not doing the right thing and hiding it properly/locking it up. Now, I'm not saying having a beer or a glass of wine every once in a while is BAD; I'm saying that control and moderation must be made.

[Ryhanna]

How is it the kid's fault that they drink? It's the parent's fault for putting the liquor in a place that is easy to reach or they don't put a lock on the cabinet. The laws are just there for legal purposes. Now, here in the US the legal age is 21 (18 if you're in the UK or Australia), and I think this is a good enough age. Now, it's already seen as "cool" and "hip" for teenagers to drink, but joining a Facebook group doesn't mean shit.

Do you really think your friends have drunk alcohol? They're probably just trying to be cool and fit in. Do you have proof that they partake in drinking? Have you SEEN them do it? Unless you have proof, you're up shit creek.

Once again, it is NOT the kid's fault that they got a hold on the alcohol. It's the parents fault for not doing the right thing and hiding it properly/locking it up. Now, I'm not saying having a beer or a glass of wine every once in a while is BAD; I'm saying that control and moderation must be made.


Actually, yes, I know for a fact they drink. So you can stop questioning my intelligence and suggesting that Im stupid enough to suggest such rational actions without reason.

And it IS partly the kids fault for drinking. Yeah, the parents may be irresponsible too, but where I live you often see kids getting older friends and relatives buying it for them (Irresponsible again) and the kids pay them back. Essentially the kids bought the alcohol. And THEy take it. They can CHOOSE not to take it!

I don't want alcohol banned or anything, because clearly people enjoy it. All I'm saying is that there should be strictler laws to make it harder to get alcohol. You push something hard enough, the message gets through to people.

TO THE PEOPLE SAYING LAWS WON'T HELP:
Well, yeah, obviously people are going to BREAK the laws! omfg guys, do think I'm THAT stupid not to have realised that?!

Sometimes people need to be distanced from things like alcohol. It can ruin you. If they break the law, they get punished. Just like everything else. And with most people, you get time in jail or a big fine, the message gets through and you stop and think before you act. Moderation is the key, and people NEED to learn that.

I don't care if it's "cool" to drink - You just look pathetic, running around with a bottle of alcohol... It's just mega super ultra ... Moronic.

[Ryhanna]

Seeing anyone, young or old getting drunk really scares me, as alcohol destroyed my family, my dad is trying to stop drinking and has gone more than a month without a drink, and I can only pray that he keeps it up, but it's not the first time he's tried. I hope I never drink, but can I really say never?

Don't listen to tht other guy. I think you have got a point, you just need to make it obvious.

It sounds like this guys point is that he is supporting my idea to an extent, but also pointing out that alcohol is a major temptation and can be very hard to resist. I think thats a good point.

Also, I should have mentioned, the major point of my idea is to cut back on binge drinking, which is a MAJOR problem in society today.

All ideas are going to have their flaws, all people are going to have their flaws. I'm not saying this idea is the right way to go, I'm suggesting something. And I'm asking for more suggestions.

[Hyper]

How is it the kid's fault that they drink? It's the parent's fault for putting the liquor in a place that is easy to reach or they don't put a lock on the cabinet. The laws are just there for legal purposes. Now, here in the US the legal age is 21 (18 if you're in the UK or Australia), and I think this is a good enough age. Now, it's already seen as "cool" and "hip" for teenagers to drink, but joining a Facebook group doesn't mean shit.

Do you really think your friends have drunk alcohol? They're probably just trying to be cool and fit in. Do you have proof that they partake in drinking? Have you SEEN them do it? Unless you have proof, you're up shit creek.

Once again, it is NOT the kid's fault that they got a hold on the alcohol. It's the parents fault for not doing the right thing and hiding it properly/locking it up. Now, I'm not saying having a beer or a glass of wine every once in a while is BAD; I'm saying that control and moderation must be made.

^
Living in a bubble

I'm not even going to adress the stupidity there.. Looks like OP responded to you anyway.

@ OP; the idea is better than just RAISE THE AGE LIMIT! But again worthless, in my opinion, wont change a thing people will still get older friends/brothers friends of their friends etc to buy it and not like anybody is going to go saying; OMG HE BOUGHT ALCOHOL FOR US FINE HIM! (and put a strike on his alcohol license), that will only happen if the parents find out about it and if they have proof, I don't see how it could be proven with any REAL evidence unless ''real'' transfers into some teenagers & upset parents statements.

My opinion on it is.. Seperate the alcohol from all grocery stores, super markets.. So alcohol only in seperate shops ''alcohol'' shops, only let folks in starting from age 18-21, no commercials on the buildings..

And seriously put a stop to the alcohol commercialing.. All those commercials with ''cool'' & young actors in them who easily look 16 drinking and saying WE'RE HAVING SO MUCH FUN! Not to mention the strategically placed billboards on school bus routes, major highways etc.. Infact get rid of alcohol billboards overall.. And have a law for all I care that makes it so companies can't use these young actors and themes that influence the gullible youngsters. In my opinion an alcohol commercial should be aired only after an average ''kids bed time'' 9 PM for example and without any young actors giving off the theme that ''we're cool because we're drinking''

[Ryhanna]

^
Living in a bubble

I'm not even going to adress the stupidity there.. Looks like OP responded to you anyway.

@ OP; the idea is better than just RAISE THE AGE LIMIT! But again worthless, in my opinion, wont change a thing people will still get older friends/brothers friends of their friends etc to buy it and not like anybody is going to go saying; OMG HE BOUGHT ALCOHOL FOR US FINE HIM! (and put a strike on his alcohol license), that will only happen if the parents find out about it and if they have proof, I don't see how it could be proven with any REAL evidence unless ''real'' transfers into some teenagers & upset parents statements.

My opinion on it is.. Seperate the alcohol from all grocery stores, super markets.. So alcohol only in seperate shops ''alcohol'' shops, only let folks in starting from age 18-21, no commercials on the buildings..

And seriously put a stop to the alcohol commercialing.. All those commercials with ''cool'' & young actors in them who easily look 16 drinking and saying WE'RE HAVING SO MUCH FUN! Not to mention the strategically placed billboards on school bus routes, major highways etc.. Infact get rid of alcohol billboards overall.. And have a law for all I care that makes it so companies can't use these young actors and themes that influence the gullible youngsters. In my opinion an alcohol commercial should be aired only after an average ''kids bed time'' 9 PM for example and without any young actors giving off the theme that ''we're cool because we're drinking''

You actually have some pretty good ideas, and yes. Advertising does make it seem "cool" when it's actually really not. Today is Australia Day, and I'm worried to think about how many people, especially kids are going to be out drinking and engaging in alcohol fuelled acts that they'll probably regret. I was encouraged to drink today, but I won't.

[Hyper]

The more I look at it all.. Every industry aims its commercial guns at kids from the earliest of ages.

Call me a retarded conspiracy theorist, but all in all after 5 or 10 years consisting of around 50-100 000 commercials it all turns into brainwashing.

Just think about it why do kids think & believe things like sugar drinks, fast food, candy etc are good if they don't ever have them at home?

They see other kids eating, drinking them & they see it on television, its the simplest damn thing in the world and it works.

EDIT: I have nothing against teenagers drinking some light amounts of alcohol, because if curiosity gets you better it get you before midlife crisis and when you own a bank account possibly tied to your 14 year old's college fund.. But yeah every ''circle'' I know goes overboard and starts way too early. If you start drinking heavy every weekend since 13-14 up untill your 30s you are not only going to end up having liver damage but your going to be brain damaged.

Things are moving out of reason.. If 10 year olds are teaching me how to make vodka shots at parties -.-, wtf did this kid even get in here? When the hell did he start drinking 40% alcohol? WHY the hell should any teenager drink 40% alcohol, just drink your couple of beers/ciders whatever's once a month or two and feel cool about it later, you can move on to weekends when your finishing high school and the occasional heavy stuff when your well into college.. But yeah..

Every person I know who started early & heavy has a drinking problem.. And every kid I know who started early & drinks heavy every weekend is a f***** retard

[Sugaree]

Actually, yes, I know for a fact they drink. So you can stop questioning my intelligence and suggesting that Im stupid enough to suggest such rational actions without reason.

And it IS partly the kids fault for drinking. Yeah, the parents may be irresponsible too, but where I live you often see kids getting older friends and relatives buying it for them (Irresponsible again) and the kids pay them back. Essentially the kids bought the alcohol. And THEy take it. They can CHOOSE not to take it!

I'm not questioning your intelligence or suggesting that you're stupid. I'm just stating my side of the story, seeing as how you offered no evidence that your friends drink. You're taking it all the wrong way.

I can see where you're coming from, but it's really a parent's responsibility to teach their children to be responsible if someone offers them alcohol. But you are right in saying that it's up to both sides to be responsible. I just find that parents who don't teach their kids the rights and wrongs are pretty much to blame.

[Hyper]

I

I can see where you're coming from, but it's really a parent's responsibility to teach their children to be responsible if someone offers them alcohol. But you are right in saying that it's up to both sides to be responsible. I just find that parents who don't teach their kids the rights and wrongs are pretty much to blame.

How the hell can you blame the parent? Kids learn about alcohol already in school at 10 (at least in here)

So how is it the parents fault when a teenage kid deliberately acquires some alcohol and drinks.. Comon where is the logic?

Why is the kid not responsible for anything? Its his own choice and he did it hidden to the parents.. Kids drink, a lot of them do.. And most of them have been taught by their parents not to. But they have commercials & examples everywhere. And hell their teenagers.. The average teenager ignores common sense.

I am really tired of the all ''EVERYTHING BEGINS FROM THE HOME!'' and the good ole' ''THE PARENTS ARE TO BLAME!''

Just face the facts that kids do stupid things even if they've been given intelligent guidance & advice.. Not directly aimed @ you The Dog, just my general rant on society.

[2D]

How is it the kid's fault that they drink? It's the parent's fault for putting the liquor in a place that is easy to reach or they don't put a lock on the cabinet. The laws are just there for legal purposes. Now, here in the US the legal age is 21 (18 if you're in the UK or Australia), and I think this is a good enough age. Now, it's already seen as "cool" and "hip" for teenagers to drink, but joining a Facebook group doesn't mean shit.

Do you really think your friends have drunk alcohol? They're probably just trying to be cool and fit in. Do you have proof that they partake in drinking? Have you SEEN them do it? Unless you have proof, you're up shit creek.

Once again, it is NOT the kid's fault that they got a hold on the alcohol. It's the parents fault for not doing the right thing and hiding it properly/locking it up. Now, I'm not saying having a beer or a glass of wine every once in a while is BAD; I'm saying that control and moderation must be made.

Yeah, I mean, it's not like we have control over our actions. How dare you suggest that!

You can't fix it because teenagers are -- for the majority -- morons. The solution comes with age, but raising the limit will do shit for nothing.

[Sugaree]

Yeah, I mean, it's not like we have control over our actions. How dare you suggest that!

Look, what I'm saying is that if the parents AND teens would be a little bit more responsible and use their minds (on the teen's part), then this wouldn't happen as often as it would. I don't know, maybe I'm just losing a bit of my strength in debating. All I know is that teenagers, just like little children, are impressionable and can be made to do anything it seems.

[Ryhanna]

I can see where you're coming from, but it's really a parent's responsibility to teach their children to be responsible if someone offers them alcohol. But you are right in saying that it's up to both sides to be responsible. I just find that parents who don't teach their kids the rights and wrongs are pretty much to blame.

That makes NO sense lol

How is it a parents responisbility if the kid is stupid enough to do it? Sometimes Kids just need to think for themselves and decipher right from wrong - If they don't do that, they'll never learn. Theres only so much parents can teach us.

[CuriousDestruction]

for now i won't present my personal opinion but i would like to pose a comment to you all. when prohibition passed in 1919 the number of alcohol related deaths went down to 1% of deaths in the US. compared to some 40% we have now (that's not an exact percent in any way shape or form.) why should alcohol be legal at all?

[Ryhanna]

for now i won't present my personal opinion but i would like to pose a comment to you all. when prohibition passed in 1919 the number of alcohol related deaths went down to 1% of deaths in the US. compared to some 40% we have now (that's not an exact percent in any way shape or form.) why should alcohol be legal at all?

I've been thinking about that... I mean, they say all this stuff kills us, alcohol, cigarettes... but really, they don't do much to stop lives being saved, it really probably SHOULD be banned. But of course if you do that, you'd have to ban cars, knives and guns, otherwise you'd seem like a total idiot just banning deadly substances. Also if it were banned it would just leads to a hell of a lot more black market crime with drug dealers also selling alcohol and cigs.

[Sugaree]

How is it a parents responisbility if the kid is stupid enough to do it? Sometimes Kids just need to think for themselves and decipher right from wrong - If they don't do that, they'll never learn. Theres only so much parents can teach us.

Parents should be teaching their kids. Yes, free thinking should be encouraged, but the parents should at least tell their kids, "Hey, have some common sense," instead of just letting the kids DO it. True, there is only so much our parents can teach us, but they can at least try to teach their kids to have the right judgment and not do something just because it's "cool".

for now i won't present my personal opinion but i would like to pose a comment to you all. when prohibition passed in 1919 the number of alcohol related deaths went down to 1% of deaths in the US. compared to some 40% we have now (that's not an exact percent in any way shape or form.) why should alcohol be legal at all?

I'm going to agree with Ryan on this one. If you ban something that will potentially kill us, you might as well ban automobiles, bikes, heavy machinery, etc, etc. If that were to happen, we might as well just lock ourselves inside our houses and lead sheltered lives from the real world. It is a shame that people die from alcohol abuse, but that's not the reason for the prohibition. The prohibition was caused by the progressives in Congress because there was some type of "evil" surrounding alcohol. The KKK also strongly supported it for the same reasons as those in Congress. But you DO understand that there were bootleggers, right? What makes you so sure that people won't start making their own moonshine and beer?

[Rutherford The Brave]

for now i won't present my personal opinion but i would like to pose a comment to you all. when prohibition passed in 1919 the number of alcohol related deaths went down to 1% of deaths in the US. compared to some 40% we have now (that's not an exact percent in any way shape or form.) why should alcohol be legal at all?

That is a huge lie, you want to know why I know that? I did a huge paper on prohibtion

The potency of alcoholic beverages increased drastically as well, by an average of 150%. This resulted in much more alcohol by volume (Thornton 4). Although liquor was illegal by amendment, the availability of alcohol actually increased, and so did the amount people consumed. The consumption of alcohol rose to 22.8 gallons/year per capita during the height of Prohibition from five times less than that in 1850 (Merz 12). Prohibitionists further lost control because they were unaware of the drinking establishments’ locations (Thornton 6). Finally, the quality of liquor decreased due to the lack of federal production standards. Many deaths resulted from poisoned alcohol. At the beginning of Prohibition in 1920, there were 1,064 deaths from poisoned alcohol. However, by 1925 that number rose to 4,154 deaths (Thornton 5). It was virtually impossible for one to predict what their alcohol contained, and therefore, what the alcohol’s effect would be. The Prohibition Era impacted crime like no other period in time. Crime rates reached an all-time high, with the homicide rate increasing by 5.6% in large cities. Overall, there was a 78% increase in general crime from the Pre-Prohibition period

http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/aa2/lpf266.shtml from here.

With the numbers stated above, alcohol related deaths jumped a record 400% basically.

[Ryhanna]

That is a huge lie, you want to know why I know that? I did a huge paper on prohibtion



http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/aa2/lpf266.shtml from here.

With the numbers stated above, alcohol related deaths jumped a record 400% basically.

WOW! 400%? thats... WOW

[quartermaster]

That is a huge lie, you want to know why I know that? I did a huge paper on prohibtion



http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/aa2/lpf266.shtml from here.

With the numbers stated above, alcohol related deaths jumped a record 400% basically.

Well done, we quite simply find that prohibition does not work. The pretense of regulating what people can and cannot put in their bodies for their own "good" is absurd as well.

[Rutherford The Brave]

Well done, we quite simply find that prohibition does not work. The pretense of regulating what people can and cannot put in their bodies for their own "good" is absurd as well.

Hehe It seems that when we make something illegal it always becomes more dangerous. I mean of course it does, but I mean people just seem to throw out their own safety so they can just do something illegal. It would be obsurd to limit people these days, if its anything like the death by poisoning rates then drunk driving may be on the sky rise if we do this.

[CuriousDestruction]

That is a huge lie, you want to know why I know that? I did a huge paper on prohibtion



http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/aa2/lpf266.shtml from here.

With the numbers stated above, alcohol related deaths jumped a record 400% basically.

apparently this site did it for you, since this is a custom essay site. a site that also happens to be notoriously unreliable. also, it may have jumped in some places, like NY and other big cities. but the overall population the number of alcohol related deaths went down.

[2D]

apparently this site did it for you, since this is a custom essay site. a site that also happens to be notoriously unreliable. also, it may have jumped in some places, like NY and other big cities. but the overall population the number of alcohol related deaths went down.

All I hear is blah blah blah until you bring some evidence other than your word.

[Sugaree]

apparently this site did it for you, since this is a custom essay site. a site that also happens to be notoriously unreliable. also, it may have jumped in some places, like NY and other big cities. but the overall population the number of alcohol related deaths went down.

Take some initiative in the debate and state your proof in links or give us any reading material you accessed for this. Really, you're more relying upon your word than you are actual research and study.

[Antares]

I am going to take more of a moderate stance and say just keep everything the same.
Nothing stricter, nothing looser. Why? Because people act stupid when anything changes these days.
People can't tolerate change it seems. If we make it looser, everyones gonna go crazy. If you make it stricter, everyones gonna get made and go crazy still.

I think we need to limit the alcohol market though, so extremely dangerous, toxic alcohols are taken off...just not obviously, because once again people will go nuts :P