Auzzie Settler Society Drunken Deluded Youth – “we’Ve Got a Problem”, Skippy – Politicians, Uhh!

A recent forum on youth, alcohol and violence heard some confronting testimony about Australia’s destructive booze culture….. “Well, either you’re closing your eyes To a situation you do now wish to acknowledge Or you are not aware of the caliber of disaster indicated By the presence of a pool table in your community. Ya got trouble, my friend, right here, I say, trouble right here in River City….. Trouble with a capital “T” And that rhymes with “P” and that stands for pool! Now, I know all you folks are the right kinda parents. I’m gonna be perfectly frank. Would ya like to know what kinda conversation goes On while they’re loafin’ around that Hall?” www.stlyrics.com The Scottish government is considering imposing a minimum price of 40 pence per unit of alcohol and banning cheap drink promotions such as two-for-one offers and “women drink free all night”. Last year, Australia slapped a hefty tax on alcopops in a bid to reduce heavy drinking among teenagers. And in North America there is much discussion about banning happy hours and similar promotions. Such measures, however, are politically unpopular. Perhaps not surprisingly in a nation that loves its booze, Donaldson’s proposals found little support other than plaudits from health and anti-drinking groups….. www.newscientist.com Binge drinking Britain: Why our ‘café culture fell flat on its face The drunk student who provoked outrage by urinating on a war memorial is typical of our unhealthy attitude to alcohol …