Irresponsible liquor policy

YOUR report (“School booze sale ‘a huge betrayal’ ”, Cape Argus, October 20) reveals Debbie Schäfer, the Western Cape MEC for Education, has announced plans for the Western Cape provincial government to make our public schools alcohol-friendly zones – this while we struggle with one of the highest rates of under-age drinking in the world.

Capetonians need to note there is currently a public participation process where the provincial government wishes to allow the sale of alcohol to adults during events held at schools.

Part of the idea for age limits at nightclubs is to stop children from being exposed to alcohol consumption and associated activities, and we should all strongly object to this absurdity.

Schäfer’s proposed amendment flies in the face of communities calling for action against alcohol abuse, which has resulted in the National Liquor Amendment Act, currently out for public comment, including a 500m proximity rule, which stops the selling of alcohol in an area not less than 500m from schools, rehabilitation facilities, religious institutions and residential areas.

The rule is supported by grassroots-based civil society, as well as researchers and academics who have lobbied province and national government for such an alcohol exclusion zone for years.

The Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance has the minutes of the deliberations on the proximity rule in the national parliamentary portfolio committee for Trade and Industry, where we note with great concern the main opposition’s obstructionist antics to the rule.

This, together with province’s resistance to the rule, highlights their inability to identify with historically disadvantaged communities struggling with high rates of substance abuse, of which alcohol is the drug of choice.

The stance taken by the province drives home that Premier Helen Zille’s “game changer” to reduce alcohol abuse is superficial at best and leaves one with little hope for change from her government, considering that:

1) Between 70 percent to 80 percent of Western Cape violent crime (murder and rape) is linked to alcohol abuse, where Cape Town is rated the deadliest city in South Africa, with 52 murders per 100 000 residents.

2) The Western Cape has the highest rates of alcohol abuse in South Africa.

3) The province has one of the highest rates of alcohol dependency in the world.

4) It also has one of the highest rates of underage drinking in the world.

5) Last, the Western Province has the highest rate of foetal alcohol syndrome in the world.

For reasons above, surely this is one of the most irresponsible and highly irrational policies being punted by Zille’s government?