Quiet day for police as bars shut.

[onearmedbandit]

With regards to the recent thread regarding cannabis, and the inevitable comparison to alcohol, I had to have a quiet laugh when I saw this headline. (http://nz.news.yahoo.com/070406/3/a11.html) Amazing isn`t it, so blatantly in your face but nothing will come of it. I`ve spoken to police officers before and some have expressed that the worst part of their job is dealing with alcohol related events, we have drunks driving cars and killing, fights at bars, sports matches etc because people have had too much to drink, spousal abuse because someone drank too much, etc. Then on one day when bars are closed and there is a marked drop in crime, yet we carry on as a society where drinking is the norm, and drinking to excess is as well (witness any town centre on hursday to Saturday nights).

I`m not suggesting we prohibit alcohol (we all know that doesn`t work). All I`m pointing out is that we debate the possible evils of substances like cannabis, meanwhile drinking ourselve into deeper trouble.

[edit] I`m also not suggesting we legalise marijuana because of this.

[Disco Dan]

I was in town last night... most people there turned up in town 10pm onwards... already drunk... ie been drinking prior to arriving in town...

As usual things that are good/benificial are banned while things that kill are encouraged.

[SixPackBack]

This passage from the police commission of enquiry:

The Commission heard evidence from international experts on features of police culture that may adversely affect the effective and impartial investigation of complaints against police. Such organisational traits include strong bonding amongst colleagues, a male-oriented culture, attitudes towards the use of alcohol, and dual standards with respect to on-duty and off-duty behaviours.

Ironic that the police force have a well documented history of alcohol abuse. What real hope does the general public have?

[Hitcher]

It's not what we're drinking, it's how we're drinking that's the problem.

[The Pastor]

actually I drank some 10 year old turps man, thats pretty messed up.

[Patrick]

This passage from the police commission of enquiry:

The Commission heard evidence from international experts on features of police culture that may adversely affect the effective and impartial investigation of complaints against police. Such organisational traits include strong bonding amongst colleagues, a male-oriented culture, attitudes towards the use of alcohol, and dual standards with respect to on-duty and off-duty behaviours.

Ironic that the police force have a well documented history of alcohol abuse. What real hope does the general public have?

My attitude is, drink and drive, I'll lock you up. Sorry for my bad attitude.

I don't abuse it, I drink a bit of it and enjoy it somewhat, but I don't abuse it. You will find the lawyers, judges and politicians are in the same boat... nothing will change as a result. Lets move on.....

[Patrick]

actually I drank some 10 year old turps man, thats pretty messed up.

That is a drinking problem... Hope you don't smoke too?

[onearmedbandit]

Not in the least bit suprised at the lack of response from this thread, in contrast to the cannabis one. Really tells me something.

[KLOWN]

Yup I have never seen the problem with pot when alcahol and smokes are just as bad. You are more in control of yourself when your on pot compared to when your drunk. I don't want pot legalised, even though I smoke it, becuase NZ will become another amsterdam. Where people come just to do drugs legally and turn the place into a shithole.
When the govt can make lots of money taxing alcohol and smokes Y bother to make them illegal or do anything about the problems.

edit: Maybe I should have posted this in the other thread (pot one)

[Storm]

You're dead right mate, but this is after all good old NZ where men are men, and drinking till you fall over is encouraged, endorsed and drummed in since youth that it is ok. I know plenty of lads whose weekend goes: get up, play rugby, get horrendously smashed, sleep till 3pm next day, and then go to work monday and brag about what a great night it was.
I'm all for a drink, but the binging culture we have in this country aint good at all.
Standing by for abuse

[onearmedbandit]

Hopefully you won`t get any abuse, in fact once again I doubt you`ll get much response. Saying in NZ that we suffer from a binge drinking culture is almost akin to saying you hate the All Blacks and that you can`t really drive that well. It`s just not done.

[kro]

Same deal as the MJ I think, you have a little, and enjoy, or have a lot and go spaz. Moderation is the word we swept under the rug, and trample on periodically.