Some time back, I was involved in a discussion regarding the right of individuals to chose their destiny. My general view is that people can do with their lives whatever they wish as long as it does not infringe upon a similar right of another. This is why I supported the right to drive without seat-belt, ride without helmet, adopt an unhealthy lifestyle, and even end one’s life if that is what one wishes for. Of course, it is not that I support or advise any of these, it is just that I think a democratic government has no business interfering with people’s choice on any of these. (Democratic is the operative word here, because a benign King, on the other hand, can and must, in the spirit of a father towards his children, implement laws that bring about well-being even at the expense of personal liberty) Those who agreed with my views and many of those who took an opposing position in that debate both expressed surprise at the fact that I do not include the right to consume alcohol and other mind-altering substances (such as narcotic drugs) in this category. In fact, I am of the opinion that a complete prohibition of alcohol will be good for society, and that even a democratic government should take this step to guarantee the rights and safety of its citizens.
The primary reason I consider alcohol a social evil, and not just an unwise personal choice, is because it causes a person to lose control over himself and increases his likelihood of causing harm to those around him. If we look at many of the heinous crimes committed in society, they are done under the influence of such mind-altering substances which make the user incapable of differentiating between right and wrong. In addition to being intuitive and pure common sense, this is also supported by studies around the world. For example, the Alcohol and Crime report prepared by the US Bureau of Justice Statistics notes (based on data for 1996) that “Two-thirds of victims who suffered violence by an intimate (a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend) reported that alcohol had been a factor. Among spouse victims, 3 out of 4 incidents were reported to have involved an offender who had been drinking“. This shows how alcohol can make people commit acts that they wouldn’t even dream of in a normal state of mind.In a large percentage of homes in economically backward classes in India, it is a common sight for the male member of the family to spend all his earnings on alcohol, and indulge in domestic violence in an inebriated state. If alcohol were to be completely banned and made unavailable, the fundamental right to a peaceful life of the wife and children of such a person will be better guaranteed. It may be argued that there already are laws against domestic violence, and that they should be used to book the offender rather than curtail his freedom to drink. However, most women will be unwilling to sue their husbands and thereby further jeopardize the family. Also, when there is an easy way to prevent a crime, why wait for it to happen and then deal out “justice”? Clearly, one of the important steps that government can take to bring down crime in general, and more specifically domestic violence and assault on women, is to make alcohol unavailable.
There is at least a perception that both the number and intensity of crime has increased recently, and I think this has also to do with higher rates of alcoholism among youth. This rise, in turn, has to do with the change in portrayal of alcoholism in mainstream media and movies. For example, in older movies (at least Malayalam), it was usually only the detestable villain who drank and smoked, while the hero was presented as a paragon of virtue. In many new movies, however, alcoholism is an essential part of the hero’s character. This has, over years, subtly eroded the social stigma associated with the consumption of alcohol and corrupted impressionable minds. Many young men (and women), well-educated and otherwise sensible, think it perfectly okay to consume this poison – some fools go to the extent of taking it as a matter of pride and identity. It has been thrust into their minds that to have fun or enjoy the company of friends, they first have to cease to be themselves. How unfortunate that art, which has the potential to uplift the spirit of man, is being thus used to cloud his reason and turn him into a brute!
It would be difficult for this depravation to have happened by chance or on its own – rather, it seems to be a result of conscious and calculated effort to create demand for a substance that has negative utility. From celebrities who endorse the use of alcohol, to companies that sell it, considerable human enterprise is wasted in bringing more people under the influence of liquor. Business, in my opinion, has to fulfill a social need. To feed upon weak men by feeding their weakness can hardly be called that. So rather than call it liquor industry or business, I think of it as a mafia involved in the lucrative crime of selling and promoting alcohol. A crime that is still legal for no better reason than it also being one of the largest sources of revenue for the government.
Even though it is not easy to get the government to mend its ways, in our capacity as individuals and socially responsible citizens, we can contribute to eradicating this plague. As an individual, I will not consume alcohol, nor buy it for someone else; nor will I encourage another person to have alcohol or pretend it is cool to lose oneself to this lowly chemical. I refuse to profit – even indirectly – from the sale of liquor, and will have no business with organizations that exploit people’s weakness and lack of judgement. I will impress upon my children and friends that those who need to bank on bottled spirit to celebrate or make merry are truly weak of the spirit. I will look down upon cowards and weaklings who cannot face life as is, and need to depend on alcohol to escape reality. This is the least I can do to play my part in this struggle.
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How do you recommend enforcing a complete ban of alcohol or cigarette?
How do I recommend? Well, this (this post, that is) is how! Do you think it is uncalled for?
This article was definately not uncalled for!
I agree with you a lot on your article however I won't frown upon people who choose to engage in Alcoholism as far my fellow youth its their choice not mine.!! Either way something does need to be done
I agree that to judge others and frown upon people is unnecessary. But I think they do deserve our sympathy for their bad judgement. In many cases, they'd also need help and support to come out of their habit.
Thanks for sharing your thought.
a complete ban of any drug is asking for trouble. (Prohibition time in America arguably gave the Mafia wings)
People will always find a way out. Complete ban is foolishness and can be even more disastrous with unforeseen problems. Let's see how Raman suggests how to enforce a ban. I don't know how writing a post helps to ban alcoholism in an entire country!
I don't see how a complete an or prohibition is foolishness or asking for trouble unless the political will to back it up is lacking. If implemented well, it can surely reduce the consumption to a great extent – though not 100%. Some states in India (including Gujarat) have prohibition laws, and there doesn't seem to have been any "disaster" because of this. The basic idea is to make it difficult for people to get alcohol. This is how I suggest to enforce a ban.Opposing prohibition with the argument that it will not be 100% effective is a classic example of what is known as Nirvana fallacy, as explained in a previous post
What is further required to improve the effectiveness of ban is to increase social awareness and build up a stigma against consumption of alcohol. The article in itself is an attempt at this – and not at enforcing a ban (as the last para should have made clear).
Please don't say about alcohol ban in Gujarat. I've been there and know how ineffective it is.
Exactly my point. It may not be effective, and there is lot we can do to improve its effectiveness. Nevertheless, it is a good start and the situation would be better than in states like Kerala where it is not banned. And it doesn't have any disastrous consequence, does it? In Kerala itself, after arrack (charayam) was banned, its use has come down drastically. It might still be available illegally or in black market to limited extent, but that doesn't mean we can ignore the benefits of ban, does it?