Common sense needed in binge drinking crackdown (From Oxford Mail)

Common sense needed in binge drinking crackdown

9:00am Saturday 19th June 2010 in News

THE Government and Oxford City Council are right to try to crackdown on binge drinking.

This unfortunate habit – which contrary to popular belief, is not just confined to teenagers and students – is costing all of us a fortune.

A&E admissions, arrests and court action are all hitting you in the pocket.

But when the authorities talk of curbing drinking games, they need to be careful.

There is a fine line to be trod.

Pubs are already having a hard time of it – and their promotions may very well be the only things that are keeping them going.

Also, people don’t take too kindly to being told to change their behaviour, especially when it is not them who are causing the problems.

The authorities need to use that rarest of commodities – common sense – when they check up on licensed venues.

They also need to remember that pubs, and some of the odd things which go on in them, are a part and parcel of our British culture.