The 111 Files: Responsible, sensible drinking best policy

THINK: The excessive consumption of alcohol can impair judgment in all kinds of situations.PHOTO/FILE

THE question I ask myself most days is, "how can we prevent the harm caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol and not appear to be the Fun Police?"

Let's be honest, alcohol is not the devil it can be made out to be by some factions, but the excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol is.

We all know excessive consumption of alcohol is a rite of passage in New Zealand, but is it part of our psychology we are proud of?

As in any role within police, the safety of the community is paramount. Alcohol is a contributing factor in more than one third of all people arrested by police.

With the warmer weather of spring and summer approaching more of us will start venturing out and enjoying this time with family and friends.

Did you know that alcohol-related violent crimes not only occur in Rotorua's busy clubs and pubs but also in our homes and at barbecues?

I am not suggesting that people don't have a good time and enjoy a break from work but I do want people to think about how the excessive consumption of alcohol can impair judgment in all kinds of situations, from a minor disagreement with family, friends or a stranger spiralling out of control, to getting home safely at the end of the night.

When things go seriously wrong, some families will take the steps too many New Zealanders have taken before them: opening the door to those uniformed figures and confirming the lifeless body on the metal trolley is one of their own.

Like many families, their story will be told in hope their life-shattering losses to alcohol-related violence will not be in vain. Unfortunately it is, as it is repeated too often for my liking.

History shows it is no coincidence that offences of alcohol-related violence increase just as we see the weather improve and more and more of us get out and enjoy having a good time. While we all plan events and how we will get there, not all of us plan on just how we will get home.

My final thought, while I am having a quiet beer is this: if you intend to drink alcohol, always do so responsibly and sensibly.

Sergeant Mike Membery is the alcohol harm reduction supervisor at Rotorua police.