Raise the Drinking Age—where is common sense?

Note: Written while not under the influence.

Surely, now it is time to raise the drinking age to twenty. In an ideal world, this would not be needed as kids would grow up with a responsible attitude to alcohol. But the thing is that they don’t. The TV is full of reports of out-of-control young people whose drunken behaviour is obvious. This is not new. It is a long-term kiwi issue going back to the “good old days” of rugby, racing and beer and seen in our on-going binge culture. I grew up with it—getting wasted was the norm then and now. My sister tragically died at age 23 from one such binge.
Sometimes one wonders where common sense has gone. The recently completed Herald DigiPoll shows that nearly 80% want the purchasing age raised to 20. 50% want the purchasing age in all licensed premises raised to 20. 25% believe it should remain at 18 in bars and restaurants. Personally, I am with the 50%; raise it to twenty in all situations. The Law Commission report in 1999 made this recommendation, stating that the reduction of the purchase age to 18 had increased youth drinking and alcohol-related hospitalisations and road crashes. Over a decade later, things aren’t getting any better.  So this is common sense isn’t it?

From a Christian point of view, with the Kiwi family and communities failing to raise young people who drink responsibly, the state which is God’s agent to maintain justice and peace, needs to step in big time (Rom 13). For me, it is irresponsible for the government, national and local, to sit back and not act decisively. What are they waiting for? One can imagine that the Government is under immense pressure from the powerful alcohol lobbyists, but it is time to get real. They should also be pushing for further alcohol education in schools, continuing advertising to warn of the risks, and especially hitting people in the wallets by raising the price of alcohol. It has worked with smoking; it will work with alcohol over time.

The church too needs to be much more proactive in speaking about alcohol. First, teaching young people of the consequences of alcohol and drugs. Church leaders need to be upfront with them, giving them a good theology of alcohol and drugs. Jesus drank in moderation even turning water into wine (John 2), but urged sobriety (Luke 21:34). Paul similarly had no problem with moderate drinking (Rom 13:13; 14:21; 1 Tim 3:8; 5:23; Tit 2:3; Rom 13:13), but rejected drunkenness (Gal 5:21; Eph 5:18). We need to teach abstinence or responsible drinking. Leaders need to model responsibility, and church should share testimonies of victory over the booze and drugs. Churches also need keep giving youth opportunities for good times without getting smashed. Where Christians have opportunity to speak into schools, we should take them sharing how young people can be responsible with their booze.

Secondly, we our ministries should include a real awareness of alcohol’s dangers and with help available. Our preaching, without harsh judgementalism and demand, should frequently refer to this subject. No doubt, many in our churches will be dependent on alcohol and drugs to varying degrees, with some alcoholics, and others affected in their everyday lives.  When there is an opportunity to speak on social vices, we must not neglect this. There will be many who need regular reminding about the dangers of alcohol, and many who need help—we need to be there for them, with professional counselling available. As part of this, we can set up and/or support the work of 12-step programs such as AA which help people find freedom from their addictions with the support of the ultimate higher power.

What do you think?