ALCOHOL: SOCIAL OR POLITICAL AFFAIR

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Natasha Chewe Mulenga

On March 10, government and lobby activists attended a summit held in Durban. South Africa. In this conference, some issues to be discussed were the increase of the drinking age from 18 to 21.

President Zuma being one of the officials present stated that the issue of underage drinking was to be resolved as soon as possible. This law has not implemented thus far but some liquor stores have become aware of the increment of underage drinking and have used their authority by demanding I.Ds. On March 23, police seized undisclosed amounts of alcohol during the st.patricks celebrations and of which minors were responsible of. 

Speaking to a monash student who chose to stay anonymous, the young student was raped on a night she imprecisely remembers. After a School event, escorted to her quarters by friends forgot to lock her front door and two boys she has no memory of attack her. The young university student admits that alcohol is an ideal way of socialising and through it she lives her life in a distressed state.

In an interview with Monash head of security Caroto, Werner, he states it is an excellent ideology developed by the state and if made law he was to ensure it implemented. Werner Said, most issues faced by security are caused by binge drinking and leave security with so much work.

In similar interview with monash counselor Dashen Reddy, he says, the increment of the drinking age may place students in the state of mind that they are children. He also says most dropouts are alcohol abusers and see authority as annoying. Reddy says it makes students sexually active and this age increment will mean night clubs will have to increase their age restriction causing student to turn to other activities such as crime.  

Anonymous (19). “It’s a ridiculous law; I was groomed to drink at a young age. I started drinking at the age of 12. It’s like a culture developed from different sub cultures.’’

 Anonymous (21). “It’s perfect. I started drinking when I was 16 and I’ve had my run so it would be good for those younger than I am.”

Monash arts and cultural officer Gideon Tladi, he says it won’t work. It’s an issue of societal changes, when events such as the beer fest are underway, students will arrive at the event pre drunk.  Students will smuggle alcohol in school, with the notion of being treated like a child and make work for security harder.

Furthermore, it’s stupid, said head of criminology department jaco berkunizer, In America the drinking age is 21 but 16 year olds still drink either way. These students are considered adults when enrolled into the school and will not make sense to restrict them.

Government is still deciding on this proposal.