Reforming liquor laws to combat crime
From:
Paula Lambert
Date:
May 22 04:27 UTC
Short link
I* dont know the solutions exactly, but its about how these kids feel
about themselves and stuff. This is a fairly destroyed planet / future
we are handing them and goodness knows what 15year olds are going
through these days.
Thank you - Kerry McKenna.
*
Kevin made a point.
Kerry has hit the nerve nicely too.
The double standards surrounding the planet and the plant . . . and the
respect that most adults absolutely demand from young people, while all
these double standards fly around . . . and I'm sure there are probably one
or two other issues young people would mention if given the chance.
We treat them as though they are stupid, when all they are is naive. A lot
of us (parents) are full of fear or crap, while they are merely full of
idealism. Alcohol widely available is easy to blame, but its time for
the mirror folks. The blanket approach of 'Do as I say, not as I do'
just may not cut it any more. I will try to get to the public meeting but
expect to be shouted down. The ignorance and blind prejudice that
surrounds this issue is appalling.
Last year at the Chch venue for the international Million Marijuana March
(230+ cities worldwide on Mayday each year) there were 300+ youngish and
older people sitting in the sun in groups having a great afternoon. Young
(and quite a few older) people using pot. Peaceful, friendly, thoughtful .
. . That night was the Edgeware Road party where two young girls were
killed and many other young people injured. Young people drinking, no
adults around. What a huge difference between the two groups.
Cannabis users are called the most pejorative terms, but the fact remains
double standards that surround alcohol use, including that it is only very
rarely described as a *drug* though that is plainly what it is . . . the
fact that media reports of other drug use are only for scaring people and
selling newspapers . . . that where drugs are involved factual analysis and
rational thought usually disappear down the toilet . . . Alcohol is a
loss-leader for supermarkets (what lunacy is that ?) . . . Do we have the
society we deserve . . . are our communities all built on hypocrisy ?
Quick, wheres that carpet ! Lift it, shove all these double standards under
it, slam your heel as hard as you can into it to squash it flat.
On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 7:35 PM, kevin oconnell <<email obscured>> wrote:
> Hi team:
>
> alcohol needs to seen in the context of everyday
> 'other drug' use in NZ, and surrounding attitudes and
> problems.
>
> It is really simplistic to try and fix the alcohol
> problem without recognising the possiblilty that there
> is a bigger thing under the water.
>
> which is what blair was getting at, as the National
> drug policy started out attempting to minimise drugs
> harms including alchol realates to other social
> problems cannabis problem, the tobacco problem, the
> methamphetamine problem, and other social problems
> where 'non compliance' with good health is normal.
>
> all nzs social problems have 'non-compliance' in
> common. not doing what told is institional in NZ. it
> is part of our spirit (or at least a massive sub
> culture)
>
> That is so often the way of life for many in NZ- part
> of our culture is all things in moderation, including
> moderation.
>
> I suggest you look at the doublestandards with popular
> intoxicant #2, Brendon. And whats the latest update on
> Labours cannabis-related health promotion given the
> prevalence is something like 14 - 16% (likelihood of
> under-reporting noted research team)
>
> Much higher prevalence of course AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE.
>
>
> most people i know love alchol to a greater or lesser
> extent. Quite a lot also love pot and not in a
> detrimental way. So why the double standard? a select
> committee in 1998 found double standards to impair
> drug-related health promotion.
>
> started to join any dots yet?
>
> regards
> Kevin O'Connell
> --- Brendon Burns <<email obscured>> wrote:
>
> > Hi Kerry, many kids will experiment with other ways
> > to get high; but alcohol is our number one drug
> > problem and we don't really treat it like a drug.
> >
> > The controls on sale of alcohol are less than those
> > on tobacco,which certainly does harm but it doesn't
> > feed violence, vandalism or put A and E under stress
> > at weekends.
> >
> > I am not saying reform of the liquor laws is the
> > answer to everything but with so much focus on crime
> > in our inner city, it seems to me that we need to
> > be targeting the primary cause.
> >
> > Hope you and readers can make the 7pm June 3 Forum
> > at St Michaels Church, Oxford Tce to allow more
> > discussion.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Brendon Burns
> >
> >
> > Brendon Burns
> > Richmond, Christchurch
> > Info about Brendon Burns:
> >
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5327sUyPUvOiDy1nF4Htfv
> >
> > This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> >
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>
>
> Kevin O'Connell
>
> Info about Kevin O'Connell: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/kevinoconnell
>
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