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Simplepowa
In Pursuit of Knowledge


Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 4,310
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State must turn off the alcohol tap
#18559343 - 07/14/13 09:10 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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July 15, 2013 - 10:39AM
TONY SARA
Mandatory closing hours
It's not unusual to wake on a weekend morning to hear of another innocent young person fighting for their life in a Sydney hospital following an alcohol-fuelled assault. The latest man to fall victim to a random act of violence on our streets is 33-year-old Matthew Blackmore.
As a father and as a brother, attacks like these strike a chord with me. But as someone who worked in emergency services for many years, as shocking and tragic as the assaults are, they don't come as a real surprise.
Every weekend our paramedics, police, doctors and nurses are faced with the tragic consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence. Every weekend we're forced to pick up the pieces, phone parents and even deal with becoming the victims of violence and abuse ourselves. Every weekend we deal with the knowledge that another heart-breaking case will be just around the corner.
What does surprise me now is not that these attacks continue to occur. It is that our politicians seem content to sit back and let tragic events like this take place without acting. Advertisement
It's certainly not due to a lack of knowledge as to what course of action would help prevent further attacks like the one on Mr Blackmore; the evidence showing what works to reduce the violence has been sitting on the desks of politicians for years.
Reduced trading hours, lock-outs and restrictions on high alcohol-content drinks: that's the suite of measures that have been proven to work to reduce alcohol-fuelled assaults.
Since those measures were introduced in Newcastle, there's been a 37 per cent decrease in late night assaults and a 26 per cent decrease in emergency department admissions in the area.
If we knew of a way to reduce the number of heart attacks by 37 per cent or the road toll, politicians would be jumping all over themselves to announce the new measures. Unfortunately however, whatever the reason, our politicians seem determined not to introduce the measures that we know work.
After the tragic death of Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross just over a year ago there were mumblings from the State Government about taking action in the Cross – and while there have been some measures announced there, we're yet to see the reduced trading hours and lock-outs we need.
The key to curbing the carnage on our streets is stopping it at the source – reducing the access and availability of alcohol.
Every weekend, our emergency service workers are tied up dealing with the impacts of alcohol-fuelled violence. It costs the state a fortune in police time and hospital beds but, more importantly, it costs lives.
But despite lives being torn apart, it seems the State Government doesn't care. Rather, it appears more intent on keeping some in the alcohol industry happy than in keeping our community safe.
Innocent young people have been left fighting for their lives as a result of alcohol-fuelled violence. It's time the government stepped up to the plate and took the action that it knows we need to see.
Dr Tony Sara is the president of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation and Last Drinks coalition spokesperson.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/state-must-turn-off-the-alcohol-tap-20130715-2pz0i.html
--------------------
Carl Sagan - "Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people." --- Robert Pirsig - "When one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion." --- Brian Cox - "[One] problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it. The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense."
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Freedreamer
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Simplepowa]
#18559485 - 07/14/13 09:39 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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"Reduced trading hours, lock-outs and restrictions on high alcohol-content drinks..."
The last thing we need are more laws that limit what little freedom we have left. On the contrary, it's time for people to claim responsibility for their own actions and quit blaming substances for their own frustrations that are expressed through their violent behaviour (often as a result of an increasingly oppressive society, might I add). It is also time to stop mystifying psychoactive substances and have an openness and HONEST discourse about them. By the way, I might add that most north Americans don't know how to drink. They are raised to drink milk at the dinner table
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-------------------- "This life is a hospital in which every patient is possessed by the desire of changing his bed. One would prefer to suffer near the fire, and another is certain he would get well if he were by the window." - Charles Baudelaire
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Rumblefishtwist
Cyber Bully



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Freedreamer]
#18559809 - 07/14/13 11:03 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Freedreamer, by your attitude i'm assuming you've never had a loved one or friend killed or injured by a drunk/impaired driver. It happens more often than you realize. Enough said.
Increasingly repressive? It seems that as we progress in time society is actually advancing, the shift is seen every day in my area, its at an all-time high like never before, things are changing.
What little freedom we have left? What the hell are you talking about? Do you live in America? If so what state? I'm curious to know which section of the country you would have to question having all the freedom in the damn world.
Alcohol is shit, and is no good for anyone. I don't know anyone in my limited amount of time here on earth that CAN handle being drunk. Alcohol makes you an even bigger idiot than you were previously, which to the majority of the population is already pretty damn high. Shit, i'm Irish and German and still turn into a complete idiot when drinking. Let the state turn off the tap, this shit (alcohol) doesn't need to be accessible by the general idiot public IMO.
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Freedreamer
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Your attitude is surprising considering this is the Shroomery after all. I am for individual freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. Prohibition is no solution and we know what kind of shit it leads to (we can see it with uncontrolled illicit drugs, and we did see it before with the alcohol prohibition that also lead to deaths related to crime and tampered alcohol). If you can't handle yourself when drunk, then I don't want to imagine how you handle yourself on shrooms I, for one, have no impulse to insult, beat or murder people when drunk, and neither do those I've gotten drunk with. If you can't handle your shit, then don't drink, simple as that, but let live those who can enjoy it (same goes for other drugs).
The proper way of going about drugs and alcohol is to give out correct information, highlight the good & the bad, lay out the risks, and from then on, lay the responsibility on the people. Stop the finger pointing, the external causes for stupid behaviour and take control over your own damn ass.
I will not disclose my place of residence on this website for legal reasons. I'll say this though: there's a serious liberty problem when you can't even grow a motherfucking plant in your own home.
By the way, alcohol was in fact proven to be healthy when consumed in moderate quantities. And for the love of humanity, this furiously anti-alcohol, holier-than-thou attitude must stop. You don't want alcohol to be made available to the public while you are on the Shroomery? WTF? I don't get it. What joy is there to life if you can't even have a little wine with your dinner or have some beers on a warm summer night? Crazy shit.
-------------------- "This life is a hospital in which every patient is possessed by the desire of changing his bed. One would prefer to suffer near the fire, and another is certain he would get well if he were by the window." - Charles Baudelaire
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Freedreamer]
#18560766 - 07/15/13 06:29 AM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Alcohol just leads to bad shit sometimes.
You ever go to a party school and see the flyers they hand out about violence and sexual abuse percentages?
They shouldn't even make alcohol past 20% BAC anymore. If it bothers you that much you can make your own.
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Apostle
Philanthropist



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Konyap]
#18560979 - 07/15/13 07:58 AM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Though it is likely just coincidence, my only violent offense and or outbursts involved lots of alcohol. 
i don't drink more than a beer any more and i haven't gotten into a fight in years.
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Apostle]
#18561134 - 07/15/13 08:59 AM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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i think everyone goes through that point in their life where they drink alcohol to get fucked up and they regret it the next day in the bathroom.
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Apostle
Philanthropist



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Konyap]
#18561159 - 07/15/13 09:07 AM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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some people never learn from it.
At least when i black out on dope i am just a comatose borderline dead bother to no one.
On alcohol i go on auotpilot and that's dangerous.
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Konyap

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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Apostle]
#18561161 - 07/15/13 09:08 AM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Rumblefishtwist
Cyber Bully



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Apostle]
#18561187 - 07/15/13 09:18 AM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Hologram said: some people never learn from it.
On alcohol i go on auotpilot and that's dangerous.

This. Very dangerous situations have arrived from this happening to me. On a lighter note my cousin told me a story of how he was super drunk and 'came to' walking down the streets of Seattle with a pack of hobo's .. they were all rambling to each other while he casually was walking along with them, they didn't question his presence or anything. Listen to the song 'Wonderful Wino' by Frank Zappa to get an idea of what alcohol can do to you lol.
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Konyap

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It's because alcohol is a depressant but it packs a lot of carbohydrates and simple sugars so you're completely hammered and sort of wired at the same time.
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Apostle
Philanthropist



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i used to drink 211's with bums when i was in my alcoholic phase.
i switched from H to alcohol and it was the worst decision of my life, lol.
pretty sure i ended up in jail.
Anyways, yea the street bum alchys are alright in my book. It's the frat boy fags and drunk drivers that suck.
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huffinglue
tryin to stay sober


Registered: 09/26/08
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Freedreamer]
#18561863 - 07/15/13 12:38 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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What's wrong with milk at dinner? I'm confused
-------------------- I fucking hate grammer nazis! Yes, I can't spell. Yes, I don't have perfect grammer. I post from my phone and dont give a shit about people whose lifes are so boring they get off on putting people down for not having perfect fucking grammer, even though they know excactly what there saying.. Fuck You. It's just a ride mang...
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Freedreamer
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: huffinglue]
#18562279 - 07/15/13 02:34 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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"What's wrong with milk at dinner? I'm confused"
Americans are crazy.
Drink wine, for fucks sake.
-------------------- "This life is a hospital in which every patient is possessed by the desire of changing his bed. One would prefer to suffer near the fire, and another is certain he would get well if he were by the window." - Charles Baudelaire
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huffinglue
tryin to stay sober


Registered: 09/26/08
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Freedreamer]
#18563178 - 07/15/13 05:37 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'm an alcoholic that's been clean for a year this month, thank you very much. So what should I drink? Grape juice?
-------------------- I fucking hate grammer nazis! Yes, I can't spell. Yes, I don't have perfect grammer. I post from my phone and dont give a shit about people whose lifes are so boring they get off on putting people down for not having perfect fucking grammer, even though they know excactly what there saying.. Fuck You. It's just a ride mang...
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Apostle
Philanthropist



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: huffinglue]
#18563193 - 07/15/13 05:40 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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No joke, i would go with water. Grape juice would end up making me want wine, i would think. or is it not that bad?
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huffinglue
tryin to stay sober


Registered: 09/26/08
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: Apostle]
#18563757 - 07/15/13 07:39 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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I usually only drink water. I can drink juice. The taste doesn't make me crave... I just drank for the effects, not the taste. I used to drink over a liter of burbon a day, without sharing, for about 15 years. Ug. WAY outta controll. But yeah, it'll be a year this month. I stopped a month before my son was born.
-------------------- I fucking hate grammer nazis! Yes, I can't spell. Yes, I don't have perfect grammer. I post from my phone and dont give a shit about people whose lifes are so boring they get off on putting people down for not having perfect fucking grammer, even though they know excactly what there saying.. Fuck You. It's just a ride mang...
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Apostle
Philanthropist



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: huffinglue]
#18563764 - 07/15/13 07:42 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Congratulations on the kid and on your commitment to ensuring you are sober and in the best mind state to handle any situation.
I mean that.
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huffinglue
tryin to stay sober


Registered: 09/26/08
Posts: 450
Loc: Texas
Last seen: 9 years, 9 months
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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: huffinglue]
#18563767 - 07/15/13 07:43 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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Sorry for the double post, but I've been to the hospital twice since I've been sober, and they said my liver and kidneys were 100% healthy.... couldn't belive it
-------------------- I fucking hate grammer nazis! Yes, I can't spell. Yes, I don't have perfect grammer. I post from my phone and dont give a shit about people whose lifes are so boring they get off on putting people down for not having perfect fucking grammer, even though they know excactly what there saying.. Fuck You. It's just a ride mang...
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Apostle
Philanthropist



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Re: State must turn off the alcohol tap [Re: huffinglue]
#18563788 - 07/15/13 07:46 PM (10 years, 10 months ago) |
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The human body appreciates a break and knows how to thank you for it.
That's even better than i could have guessed.
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