As recently as last weekend, I noticed a few cars that, for some reason or another, had been involved in vehicular accidents – from head-on collisions to those that attempted to make additional access roads that connect the Compact road to unregistered real properties. I had heard from witnesses that most, if not all, of the drivers of the cars were intoxicated or high on something. Many of them, I was told, survived the accidents, but are likely to shell out a few hundred bucks to repair the noticeable damages.
Politicians have, for as long as I can remember, have voiced concerns about alcohol consumption and its effects on our society. In fact, they have passed a number laws that govern practically everything about alcoholic beverages – from taxes to medical referrals – and yet such beverages are still sold and consumed and continue to plague our society.The Ministry of Health has tallied statistics about the effects of alcohol and has held conferences to discuss the problems associated with alcohol consumption; and has even initiated programs that counsel people to refrain consuming alcoholic beverages. However, the ads and commercials that depict “the good life” associated with alcohol consumption and the businesses that thrive on the sales of alcohol have persuaded our government and the consumers that Palau cannot survive economically without alcohol.And so, during the holidays, despite the overwhelming evidence saying otherwise, alcoholic beverages continue to be the “spirit” that lurks on the lists for the planned and unplanned activities – and likewise, puts the police department and the ministry of health on alert.I am hoping for the next legislation on alcohol to be so much more than just strict guidelines on where and when an alcoholic beverage is sold and consumed and how much tax should be levied on its importation or who is of the right age to sell or to purchase and use it. Since the New Year is approaching and the new government would be installed, I implore – and so should you – to our next political leaders to consider making New Year resolutions to enact legislations to ban the importation of alcohol.In the spirit of Christmas, don’t drink and drive – better yet, don’t drink at all. May we live through the holidays to remember the joy our children experience when they open their gifts; and I hope that neither you nor I will be looking down to Earth because someone decided to get drunk and managed to send our spirits off Earth.
