When I visited Stevenage this week, the question I asked was, “Should a ban on cheap alcohol and a minimum price be imposed by law?”
“I think our licensing laws are to blame for the escalation in drink related, anti social behaviour”. This was the opinion of a man leaving a supermarket in Stevenage. “Why do you think that?” I asked. “Because the extension of opening hours was completely unnecessary. It was a political decision which has stretched the police and NHS to breaking point. People are now drinking before they leave home and arriving in the town centres already worse for wear. I used to go out with my mates on a Friday night and have a few beers but the longest session we had was four hours and if we wanted to carry on drinking, we got a carry out from the off licence and went home or to somebody else’s house if there was a chance of a party. We weren’t falling about in the street at 3 am in the morning. My 22 year old daughter still lives at home and her friends turn up on a Saturday night bringing bottles of alcohol which they drink before they set off. They don’t leave the house until after 9 pm and very often haven’t eaten a decent meal. I’ve asked them why they leave it so late going out and they say they couldn’t afford to pay pub or club prices all night. The problem with drinking at home is that without measuring their drinks they have no idea what they have consumed. I don’t think putting the price up will alter anything except generate more money for the government and those who want to carry on drinking will find a way.”
“I don’t think it’s fair to penalise the sensible drinkers by raising the minimum price on alcohol” the next man said to me. “Why should everyone suffer just because a section of society is out of control? The problem is that the laws we already have are not being applied properly, especially with regard to underage drinking.” “What do think about the idea suggested this week of providing mini buses and paramedics to help keep the A & E departments running smoothly?” I asked. “To be honest, when I read about it, I thought a mini bus was too good for a load of drunks” he replied. “I think the police and NHS have been left to act as nannies after the politicians foisted extended open hours on us. Perhaps it’s not a bad idea if a different approach is used.” “What would you suggest?” I asked. “I’ve often thought a privately run holding pen where they had to pay a fine in order to leave. This would save the tax payer a lot of money and relieve the pressure on our front line services.” “Goodness, that sounds like a radical idea. Where do you think the holding pens should be?” I asked. “How about the local park. We could build cages for them; a bit like a zoo” he replied with a twinkle in his eye. I’m not entirely sure if he was serious or not.
“I actually don’t mind if it gets more expensive; perhaps it will mean less drinking. I like a nice glass of wine with a meal” one lady explained. “Even in my younger days I wouldn’t have been able to drink as much as my granddaughter does.” “ Why is that?” I asked. “Mainly because I couldn’t afford it, we had less opportunity to drink. It used to be a treat to have a drink with our friends because most of our wages were handed over to our parents for housekeeping money. We only ever had alcohol in the house at Christmas and then it was usually a bottle of sherry and a few beers for the men. I think of having a drink as a luxury but many in today’s society view it as part of their every day life”
“We don’t think it will make a lot of difference because the supermarkets will find a way round it; so will the pubs and clubs in the town centres” replied the next couple I spoke to. They were worried that even though their son is away at university, the amount of alcohol that he and his friends consumed on a daily basis really worried them. “Why is that?” I asked. “Because his whole social life revolves round having a drink either at home or in pubs and clubs in Norwich where he is studying.” “Would he be able to drink as much if it was to be more expensive?” I asked. “Probably not, if the prices actually went up.” “If there is a minimum charge, the prices would have to go up wouldn’t they” I asked. “Not necessarily” they replied. “There will be promotions to attract young drinkers because it is a lucrative industry and he would still go to the students’ union where their drinks are cheaper.”
Finally, speaking to a couple of teenage boys I was shocked by their reply when I asked “Should alcohol be more expensive and would it curb drinking?” Their view was that all it will mean is that kids who drink will steal more to cover the cost. “Anyway” they said “it’s not alcohol that’s the main problem for 13 -17 year olds.” “What is the main problem?” I asked. “ Marijuana.” They went on to tell me. “Kids are targeted at secondary school, with probably about one in five either smoking it, dealing among their friends or even growing it.”