Judging from the amount of energy and effort – evident prior to and during the Christmas holidays – exerted by advocates for sensible alcohol use, and by the police who were placed on extra vigilant duties, I am inclined to think that almost everyone will assert that the use and abuse of alcohol is at top of the list of social problems that Palau is struggling to resolve.
I am startled, however, that most of us, despite statistics that tell of the magnitude of the problem, seem to agree that Palau cannot do without importation of alcoholic drinks – especially now when the economy is gloomy.Many seem to think the importation of alcoholic drinks and their sale generate much needed taxes, some of which, I presume, is earmarked to ease the lives of those who are abstemious.
The beginning of 2009 looked promising as relevant and significant individuals began look at statistics, reports, and even heard testimonies against the prevalent use and abuse of alcohol.A number of attempts were made in hope of decreasing the amount of alcohol related incidents in Palau – one of which included stricter penalties on those who are caught driving intoxicated.These attempts, as far as I am concerned, were of marginal competence at best because they were tainted by well-hidden bias.
I think it is time to seriously think about abolishing importation and production of alcoholic drinks altogether.I do not see any difficulty in putting a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in Palau.I find negligent that more and more people are victims of a thing that Palau has full control of.
I do have friends who will gladly air more than a few reasons to keep alcoholic drinks readily available.They would probably tell you and I that they are “social drinkers” and would guarantee prudence when they drink.I say practicing prudence when drunk has led to more than just a “fender bender.” Lives have been lost because prudence ran out the door with reason after a couple beers led to a case.Incidentally, just over the holidays, a few my friends – known to be “social drinkers” – became “unsocial” and had to be placed in isolation.The very same people who cannot recall what they did after their 10th drink claim to have had fun.I assure you that they had nasty hangovers; and they are in the process of fixing what is left of what they had damaged.
It does not make sense anymore to remind people not to drink and drive.They know already.A person who drinks knows that he or she is going to alter the functions of his or her brain a little – some chose to go extreme.Either way, anyone with alcohol running in his or her blood stream is not normal and has the potential to be stupid.
You and I need to consider resolving the problems that evolved from allowing alcohol to flow in Palau.I suggest putting a ban on import and production of alcohol – similar to the ban on guns – for a little while and see what happens.Without alcohol, we just might be able to think clearly.Happy New Year and quit drinking!
