Tough act on liquor

THE government ’ s plan to ban alcohol for drivers and not to allow even “one for the road ” is likely to be met with fierce opposition.

Currently, drivers are allowed a glass of wine or beer to be on the legal limit of 0.05ml alcohol in the blood. In addition to the total ban of alcohol on our roads, there is a move to also ban alcohol advertising.

These new suggestions come in the wake of the Gauteng government battling it out with liquor traders over a plan to ban liquor sales on Sundays.

On the face of it, all these plans are noble. The destructive effects of alcohol are well documented. There is a burden of disease as a result of alcohol. A number of criminal acts can be traced back to excessive alcohol intake.

Alcohol abuse also results in loss of productivity in the workplace and in schools.

Other staggering effects that continue to tear at the fabric of many families include domestic violence, femicide and other violent crimes.

It has been difficult for the government to ensure drinkers only take one glass and are sober enough when they hit the roads or hold the guns.

These are people who continue to cause many fatalities and untold tragedies for many families on our roads and communities every day.

These problems not withstanding, the myriad proposals are a desperate attempt to mould human conduct where strong education and sound socialisation are non-existent.

But just like government failed to police abusers who fail to stick to the prescribed legal limit, what informs the idea that abusers forced to continue their excessive drinking at home will not have their actions spill outside their abodes?

What informs the suggestions that a total ban will reduce accidents on the roads, and decrease our health and social services bill? How does the ban on alcohol advertising reduce the social problem that is alcoholism.

Some of the communities worst affected by alcoholism have no access to newspapers nor television which would have supposedly influenced them to become alcoholics.

No one has advertised the killer drug nyaope which is destroying our youth.

It all boils down to the question: How far can government regulate personal and social behaviour? Society should answer this question.

We all have a responsibility to bring up responsible citizens who care not only about themselves but also about others.

What government ’ s role is or should be in this requires careful consideration. It ’ s a tough balancing act.