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This blog article was inspired by my previous one, relating to the Doctors who will have to apply for certificates to open new practices from 2016. I wonder why it is not possible that could be done with alcohol. We allow everybody to smoke and drink as they please, but when it comes to running a business, we believe that as a country we could tell them even in which area they should run their business. I would far prefer it if we required people to have a licence, and not just be 18 years old, before they can drink alcohol.
A lot of people don’t have problems with alcohol but I have an alcoholic in my family, and it is devastating to see how, despite rehabilitation, the lure of the drink is so strong that a person just cannot give it up. They will look for any excuse and any reason to have another drink, despite the fact that they are not even happy when they drink. The alcoholic in my family does not even seem to have fun when the person drinks. The person repeatedly breaks down and starts crying and is terribly emotionally traumatised after only a few beers. For many people alcohol can be a source of fun and good times without too much of a bad hangover but for others it is a pure poison that they have absolutely no control over and are totally addicted to and it is a tragedy when you are dealing with somebody like that, that they can freely go and buy what is a dangerous drug for them at any bottle store or shop without a prescription as in the case of actual regulated medicines and drugs. There has to be a way to prevent alcoholics and people with a problem with alcohol from buying drinks so easily, and it would not be so strange to licence it. We after all licence guns also because we all prefer it if the government did not allow people with, for example, psychiatric conditions to buy guns because we all recognise the danger of allowing a mad person to buy a weapon. There is not less risk when you give an alcoholic alcohol and set him or her free amongst people or in a motorcar.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 05-Jun-14
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Comments
Elektra said:
on Wednesday 02-Jul-14 12:25 PM
Alcohol is exactly like a drug, there is now Law which is going to stop and alcoholic from drinking, same as drug abuse, even though there are laws in place drug addicts still find away to get hold of the substance they so desperately crave.
Its up to that person whether they want to be sober or not, no rehabilitation is 100%, its that persons mind choice to use or abuse a substance.
Even without a licence to drink, People that want it will find a way to get it.
Joyce said:
on Friday 06-Jun-14 05:54 PM
I think alcohol is very dangerous and I think a license to drink will save some lives against alcohol
Sinead said:
on Friday 06-Jun-14 05:36 PM
I do agree... Alcohol abuse can cause so much pain and destruction to the addict and to those around him/her. It's especially sad to see it in someone with an addictive personality.
Sarah said:
on Friday 06-Jun-14 04:11 PM
I agree, alcohol is very dangerous when you go overboard.
Yolandi P said:
on Friday 06-Jun-14 03:16 PM
I completely agree. The rate of alcohol abuse in our country is shocking and more strict laws are definitely needed. In my opinion people need to have a license to be parents too.
Safia said:
on Friday 06-Jun-14 01:56 PM
My father was an alcoholic.well educated and kind man who could not stop drinking and eventually died because of alcohol. My childhood memories take me back to seeing him drunk,to heart breaks of seeing him relapse after few weeks/months of being sober. Alcohol is a road to hell.Literally.I do not see any fun in it because i have seen too many broken lives. some alcoholics are obvious,some are secretive. Even rich housewives drink in the evening liters of wine and pretend they have no problem.But you can see it on their faces next morning. Children should be shown where alcohol use leads, just like drug use. may be then they will think twice before taking their first drink. Life is great when you face it sober.
Thabitha said:
on Friday 06-Jun-14 09:42 AM
I agree because even small kids are drinking alcohol nowaday so if they have started at their early age they are going to end up being alcoholic
Refilwe said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 05:14 PM
Couldn't agree more with this blog. . . . That way with a license i think it would reduce accident's, abuse, and actually just any crime that involves alcohol.
Jolene said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 05:01 PM
Dont think it a bad idea but people (especially alcoholics) will find a way to get the alcohol if they want it, they will just ask or pay someone with a licence to get it for them.
Bianca R said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 11:03 AM
Lovely David :). I tend to agree that a licence should be required in order to drink. I have seen a lot of people (some friends) get extremely out of hand, aggressive and completely humiliate themselves because they drank more than what they could handle. I am an extreme lightweight when it comes to drinking and thus I have my two and it is more than enough for me. The difference that comes in is that most people know when to stop and those who don't, are extremely dangerous, to themselves and those around them. I always say have a good time but when your drinking affects someone else negatively, it is time to stop!
Juliet said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 10:19 AM
Alcohol can be a toxic bomb wrapped in a pretty pink ribbon. I haven't missed it the last 8 months and I really don't know if I will ever partake in it again. But it is fun and maybe I will once the baby is older
Angelique said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 10:16 AM
At first I thought but everyone should have a freedom of choice but then I continued reading. I agree, when people turn 18 perhaps they all get a licence, however if you abuse alcohol and a family members feels you do then you should be investigated for your own good and get your licence taken away. Alcohol ruins lives, not only the alcoholics life but the family and friends who are affected by it. I have the utmost respect for alcoholics that are no longer that, that have proved they are not dependent on it. Some families go through hell because of alcohol and I think its so sad. The same licence should be obtained for other addictions in life too.
Sorea said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:56 AM
Lol David!!!
As much as this is a noble idea, I would like to point out that even though there is a list of illegal narcotics, you still have millions of people who manage to get their hand on their poison of choice fairly easily. I think that the same will happen with restrictive measures on alcohol.
There will always be somebody that will want to make a quick buck and there will always be a demand for more alcohol than any license will allow.
Look at the prohibition years in America. They were only successful in terms of the people who wanted to abide by the laws imposed by their government. For the rest of them there were alcohol runners, hidden bars and the growth of many a mob run by ruthless mob bosses that did everything in their power to protect their piece of the illicit trade.
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:54 AM
I have to agree with you completely having, once before, been married to an alcoholic. It is a drug like no other because it is so freely allowed. My only thinking is, how will it be controlled - how do you stop someone from cheating the system?
Jessica said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:23 AM
I wish they could do that too, some people have such bad habits same should also apply to gamblers who go blow all their money and sell everything in their homes. I think this would be a brilliant idea. If one has an addictive personality they will find something else to be addicted too.
Ashleigh said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:22 AM
I really enjoyed David's comment. I think a lot of people can relate to this blog. I really don't mind alcohol but I do mind the people who drink it sometimes that do not know how to control it or when to stop. I also don't like that alcohol becomes an excuse for the stupid decisions made. I believe that no matter how intoxicated you are, you made the decision to get to that point and not control it so you are answerable for it. Alcohol can wreck lives IF you allow it to. Its the choice of the person behind the Alcohol.
Alexis said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:21 AM
I agree totally - alcohol is a terrible thing and should not be given out so easily. It ruins lives, not necessarily the one drinking but the people around that person. A drink or two is fine....but some people never know when to draw the line.
Kaylee said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:18 AM
I tend to agree, I have seen downward spirals with people that drink too much and end up in rehab. Unfortunately, I think if you have an addictive personality you are more prone to develop an addiction and I do think that it may be genetic. The sad reality is that an alcoholic affects everyone around them, its a selfish addiction. I do believe that you can overcome addiction with a strong mind, mind over matter perhaps? But I think this is a good idea.
Lourien said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:16 AM
There is nothing wrong with alcohol as long as you know your limits, every person should be able to tell that they should definitely not have another round, or when its time to rather go home... Maybe having a licence to drink can be a good idea and keep most of the people sober when they are driving around...
Bianca Els said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:16 AM
Lol, just can't stop laughing @ David's comment!! I will have to agree with the blog, some people can handle alcohol, they have a good time and go home. The thing i hate the most about alcohol is when people get drunk out of their minds, and then abuse their children and wife. I also think they must start giving licences, in the long run it will only be better for everyone.
Melissa said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:09 AM
Having one drink or two can't do you any harm, misusing alcohol can become very dangerous and people should know when to stop.
david said:
on Thursday 05-Jun-14 09:03 AM
alcohol is extremely dangerous - make no bones about it. the power of alcohol has had me sleep with some ugly women in the past...
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
