PRO, Task Force on
Madam, - Your Editorial of November 30th was superb. Coming up to that time of year when many of us celebrate the birthday of Christ by causing misery around us, your words are timely.
You ask that we all respond to this crisis in over-consumption. May I highlight two of your comments. First, the drinks industry must acknowledge that its advertisements do have an effect on people, particularly the impressionable young.
The GAA, too, has a special responsibility. It can, as you suggest, review its sponsorship with Guinness. And a Government ban on all alcohol advertising must come sooner rather later.
You write that "blaming others is no longer an option. We must shout stop. And mean it." You will be glad to know that here in Carrickmacross the community is shouting stop.
On the initiative of the local Pioneer council, a task force on alcohol and substance abuse was formed last July last. It comprises representatives of societies and associations in the town. A thriving youth club with parental involvement is one of its principal achievements to date.
Shortly before Christmas the task force will meet formally with the Vintners' Association. Early in the New Year local businesses will be invited to contribute financially to its plans. These include the provision of facilities for young people in an alcohol-free environment.
On behalf of our task force, I commend your newspaper for the extensive coverage it has given in recent months to the problems created by the abuse of alcohol. Our wish is that alcohol be used moderately this Christmas.
Then it can be, as you say, a blessing. - Is mise,
SEÁN Ó RAGHALLAIGH, PRO, Task Force on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
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Madam, - There is a very simple way to curtail drunken driving at any time. Dublin has a great number of public houses with very large car parks, almost invariably filled to overflowing, usually until long after closing time - and the same is probably true in many other places. If a Garda with a breathalyser were stationed at the exits of these car parks, even occasionally, there would be a remarkable reduction in drunken driving.
I cannot believe that every car leaving such pubs at night is driven by a "designated driver" and I am sure there would be a satisfying haul of offenders. This is such a simple solution that the vintners and other interested parties will find reasons for opposing it! - Yours, etc.
M. G. GARGAN, Milltown, Dublin, 6.
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Madam, - Owen Keenan of Barnardo's suggests the Government should give a lead in changing "the deep-rooted cultural dimension" of alcohol. It might be a start if Bertie Ahern gave up opening pubs (allegedly more than 60 during his first term as Taoiseach) and also stopped publicly forcing pints down abstemious visitors such as Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev and John Major. - Yours etc.,
RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS, London W5.