There has for some years now been major concern about our country's so-called binge drinking culture.
We cringe at images on our television screens of horribly drunk young people behaving badly or putting themselves in danger; drinking to get drunk. It's not a new issue but these days it's in the media spotlight more often.
Whether our young drinkers are any worse than young drinkers elsewhere in the world could no doubt be argued either way but that doesn't really matter. If we as a country are concerned, we should be discussing the issue and trying to figure out how to bring about positive change. There's no doubt Kiwis have a certain "drinking culture" and generally speaking, it couldn't be described as moderation - for either young people or many adults. Many teenagers have grown up watching their parents party, something that was perhaps hidden from children more in decades gone by.
Rotorua MP, National's Todd McClay, wants to engage locals in the debate on the Alcohol Reform Bill going before Parliament again next month and aimed at minimising alcohol-related harm including crime, disorder and health issues. He wants to know if locals think the alcohol purchase age should remain at 18, be raised to 20 or be split - 18 in bars, clubs and restaurants and 20 in liquor stores and supermarkets.
The proposed reforms include other measures like new powers for the police and tighter restrictions on alcohol promotion. There will be differing opinions but certainly there is a case for change in the Kiwi drinking culture. Whatever measures and new laws are introduced, focusing on young people alone won't bring about the change we are after. It will take a shift in the Kiwi psyche, a desire to change the way we view alcohol and the role it plays in our social lives. It will take a concerted, community effort and it's not going to happen overnight.
