Bay of Plenty Times reader Peter Burrell says it is not the number of liquor outlets that is the issue, but instead people's treatment of alcohol. What do you think?
Have your say in the comments section below.
Much has been, and is being, written about the number of liquor outlets and who should regulate or reduce that number.
I drive past many outlets, specialist and supermarkets, each time I go anywhere and surprise, surprise, I don't go into them all and buy the demon drink.
Perhaps it is because I was brought up differently and in a different time when alcohol was not the be-all and end-all of society.
I can drink when I want to, but I cannot see the reason for going to watch sport and then spend great amounts of hard-earned cash buying four packs of the sponsor's products, which cost much less at my local liquor outlet.
The same reasoning applies when I go out to dinner or any other outing.
What is needed is parents taking responsibility for their children and themselves, and drink responsibly.
I can't see why I will have to drive a greater distance to buy my beer, wine or spirits merely because malcontents drink to excess every time they hit the streets.
(Abridged)
- Peter Burrell, Otumoetai