BBC news is carrying a story about how a boys life was taken by
alcohol. I should warn you it is quite heavy reading, I feel terrible for the family that he left behind.
However the story does contain some
valuable points.
I wrote an Open Letter to the UK Government earlier today in response to calls for the duty to be raised. Kathy, The mother of Chris, the boy in the article states that "Raising taxes on alcohol probably wouldn't have made much difference to my son. However the fact it is so easily available - and appears so glamorous in adverts - is part of the problem". As I stated in my open letter earlier today, I agree 100%, raising the taxes will have little to no impact. Advertising is an issue, but the reduction of it must come paired with "more education in schools on the dangers of drinking, for the kids and for the parents too. That must be a priority."
Alcohol can claim lives, although not usually directly. Chris in the story caught streptococcal pneumonia because of his drinking, but at the same time whilst it caused the weakness that allowed the illness to take hold, the drink itself did not kill him. This is what needs to be taught, that the drink itself only has to make you more susceptible to illness for you to lose your life. The Government needs to stop using its failed tactics and start educating children, and parents about the dangers of over indulging.
My condolences go out to the family of Chris, and I hope that something can be done to prevent more lives being lost in this way. Once society recognises that alcohol is not evil, and begins to properly educate its children about the dangers, I am confident that many lives can be saved.
I wrote an Open Letter to the UK Government earlier today in response to calls for the duty to be raised. Kathy, The mother of Chris, the boy in the article states that "Raising taxes on alcohol probably wouldn't have made much difference to my son. However the fact it is so easily available - and appears so glamorous in adverts - is part of the problem". As I stated in my open letter earlier today, I agree 100%, raising the taxes will have little to no impact. Advertising is an issue, but the reduction of it must come paired with "more education in schools on the dangers of drinking, for the kids and for the parents too. That must be a priority."
Alcohol can claim lives, although not usually directly. Chris in the story caught streptococcal pneumonia because of his drinking, but at the same time whilst it caused the weakness that allowed the illness to take hold, the drink itself did not kill him. This is what needs to be taught, that the drink itself only has to make you more susceptible to illness for you to lose your life. The Government needs to stop using its failed tactics and start educating children, and parents about the dangers of over indulging.
My condolences go out to the family of Chris, and I hope that something can be done to prevent more lives being lost in this way. Once society recognises that alcohol is not evil, and begins to properly educate its children about the dangers, I am confident that many lives can be saved.
