The Government misses the point in their plan for alcohol reform

Yesterday the Government outlined what it calls a balance plan for alcohol reform, while there were many good initiatives that will go some way to address current problems, it fails to address the challenges around changing New Zealand’s drinking culture.

“We fail to see how the introduction of a split purchase age will do anything apart from creating a situation where it will be illegal for a 20 year old to supply alcohol to a 17 year old but not to a 18 or 19 year old. This will create a culture of supplying alcohol to those under the purchase age, which defeats the purpose of making it an offence to supply to those under 18 years old.

“Alcohol abuse is not solely a youth problem, and by focusing on the age of a drinker rather then on their actions and the harm caused, the Government is making scapegoats out of young people”.

This is supported by Professor Doug Selleman, the director of Christchurch’s National Addiction Centre, whose research found that 92 percent of New Zealand’s heavy drinkers were 20 years and over, and 70 percent were 25 and over.

“The focus should be on measures that target all problem drinkers regardless of age, that’s why the Young Nats welcome such measures as widening the definition of ‘public place’ and strengthening the existing offence of promotion of excessive consumption of alcohol.

“A real change in New Zealand’s drinking culture won’t occur until more emphasis on individual responsibility is placed on those individuals who engage in violent, disorderly, antisocial behaviour, or drink to excess.

“At present many escape the real cost and consequences of their behaviour. Let’s enforce the existing law more effectively before we start passing new laws. There were only 91 prosecutions for supply to a minor last year (resulting in 27 convictions), and only one for supply to an intoxicated person.

“The Young Nats together with Yong Labour, ACT on Campus and Young Greens will be calling on all MPs to vote against the creation of a split purchase age”, says Daniel Fielding.

ENDS

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