Editorial: A lack of courage on drinking laws

OPINION: John Key's government has made a name for adroitly negotiating dangerous political shoals without greatly upsetting its supporters or unnecessarily riling its opponents.

There's something to be said for that ability, which is rare and can bring about necessary change almost by stealth.

But from time to time politics also calls for the kind of grit that sees a stake emphatically driven into the ground so that there is no mistaking the message.

That is a more demanding but also a more admirable type of leadership – and on the alcohol issue, the Government is failing to deliver.

Alcohol abuse is a national catastrophe affecting not just teenagers but adults of all ages. This is well-recognised by the public, doctors, the police and the Law Commission, which documented its effects in a comprehensive report.

It cites studies showing that around one quarter of New Zealand drinkers typically drink large quantities, and that this rises to about half of drinkers aged 15 to 24. Just over 21 per cent of drinkers aged 15 and over have a consumption pattern that carries a high risk of damage to physical or mental health.

Rates of hazardous consumption among the young, Maori, Pacific and lower socio-economic groups are all significantly higher. So it goes on – clear links between alcohol abuse and family violence, other types of crime, road accidents and a variety of illnesses.

Cumulatively all of this has an immense toll on many parts of the health service, social services, the police, the justice system, and family and community life. There is no need to review the statistics to know it – in every New Zealand community the evidence of the ill-effects brought about by the abuse of alcohol is clear.

Binge-drinking is the obvious culprit but the problem goes much wider, and it demands a strong and comprehensive shift in public policy to change private behaviour.

So what does New Zealand get? Instead of a sensible reduction in blood-alcohol limits for all adult drivers, the Govcrnment sticks with the existing 80 milligrams.

Instead of recognising that the lower drinking age has worsened binge drinking among teenagers, it goes for a bob-each-way position that will undoubtedly cause confusion but won't fix anything.

Instead of blocking the sale of cheap liquor, it tinkers with the alcohol content of the now-ubiquitous RTDs.

Then in a masterly piece of obfuscation, it decides to put the frighteners on families already grappling with the complexities of teen drinking by threatening a fine of up to $2000 and a criminal record for providing alcohol to an under-18 year old without the consent of a parent or guardian.

If this law goes through, uncles and aunties, brothers and sisters, family friends and the parents who try hard to host safe parties and teach responsible, moderate drinking will all run the risk of being turned into criminals.

For what? Liquor and hospitality are big business in New Zealand, and it is not difficult to imagine that industry lobbying has carried the day against a mountain of evidence that firm, clear, tighter controls on alcohol marketing and availability are needed while the bigger job of bringing about a change in behaviour is tackled.

It's enough to drive you to drink.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First