Editorial: Saying goodbye to a friend

Dry July is upon us once again.

The primary reason for the availability of alcohol in society is, unquestionably, to get through the partner's Christmas work do.

In that context the role of the drug changes from recreational, to a life-and-death imperative.

Ernest Hemingway was all too honest about the importance of social boozing: "I drink to make other people more interesting."

It's why the Dry July initiative is immensely noble. Not only is there much self-control needed but last year it raised more than $744,000 for three beneficiary cancer services.

There'll no doubt be a few delicate heads in the region this morning. Last night's final binge ahead of today's first 24 hours of abstinence was a good tactic, given the advent of a hangover inevitably sparks the "never again" cock-and-bull line.

It reminds me of advice from an old school teacher who constantly warned us adolescents: "Alcohol is a great friend but a bad enemy."

The trick is to know where that line is.

As a colleague quipped yesterday, most Kiwis would have more success tackling a month of chastity, or a month of spousal Christmas work parties (which is why July is chosen - to impose a Dry December would be inhuman).

There's no doubt this is a worthy cause. The stats show that about 392,800 work days are lost courtesy of hangovers and alcohol-related absences every year.

Yet the paradox is those who will successfully complete the 31 days of abstinence obviously didn't have a drinking problem.

Those who genuinely need to reel it in will be laughing from July's flanks with a skinful of plonk.