tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post8039144610425915528..comments2024-01-18T20:42:30.221+00:00Comments on Thinking to some purpose: Disunity as strengthWill Haydockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00623145846257433457noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post-29318497985140925702016-04-08T00:23:23.730+01:002016-04-08T00:23:23.730+01:00Making every problem about 'the alcohol' i...Making every problem about 'the alcohol' is more gratifying for those in government and academia trying to do something about that particular problem. Alcohol has been regulated for centuries so the mechanisms are in place and the public are used to having the 'it's the alcohol' debate. <br /><br />So focusing on the alcohol contribution to violence and crime, for example, is less confronting and easier than discussing masculinity, class and deprivation. As a Police officer, you can do something about alcohol. It is a case of "To a man with a hammer, all problems are a nail."<br /><br />The other point I would make is that having a discussion about 'desirable drinking' is that it would entail admitting there is anything good at all about drinking, in some cases, and that would be heretical to alcohol advocates. It would mean accepting some low level of risk, but across a population of 60+ million, that would mean accepting some level of harm. And such harm cannot be accepted when that harm could be avoided by being less tolerant and more hard-line. <br /><br />Public Health campaigners know that unambiguous messages work best and gain the most notice. Also, there is an emotional comfort in their zeal and in being absolute - in having zero tolerance, advocating no safe limit, wanting total bans. It puts them clearly on the side of the Angels, not the devils.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125653241615635488.post-43512631064991726942016-04-07T13:20:39.914+01:002016-04-07T13:20:39.914+01:00I don't think its an either or arguement. I ag...I don't think its an either or arguement. I agree totally that alcohol needs to be cross cutting and addressed via the whole myriad of interlinked issues. However a national strategy can potentially help that by reinforcing that point and the issue itself. Go back ten years ago, alcohol was rarely mentioned in many of these spheres, but there has been some improvement. I think on some level national strategy has been part of a step in the right direction.. jm24https://www.blogger.com/profile/15765274012971163255noreply@blogger.com