Why drinkers do it all again – they only recall the good bits

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Why drinkers do it all again – they only recall the good bits
Source – The Independent
Date – 10 September 2008

It is one of the most well known, least acknowledged secrets of our society; ‘alcohol is a drug’. Like many both legal and illegal drugs it alters our emotional, physiological and mental state. In moderation it can have a positive effect, making us more sociable and more relaxed; but like many drugs in excess it can have very negative side effects and lead to serious health issues including, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver, amongst others; again like many other drugs it can also be highly addictive.

What is less well recognised is the role of licence holders in the supply and sale of alcohol. We all clearly understand the role of doctors and pharmacists in the sale and supply of prescription drugs and drugs sold under licence at our local pharmacy. We accept the great responsibility they have to control drugs for the purpose of healing or relieving pain. The pharmacist is in effect the licence holder and they sell drugs under licence and take personal responsibility for each and every sale. When we go to the pharmacy we don’t blink an eye when we are asked about other drugs we might already be on or when we are told how many we should take a day, or even when we are questioned about our personal habits to ensure we can safely and effectively take the drug we are about to be supplied.

If Personal Licence Holders authorised to sell alcohol or to authorise the sale of alcohol were to ask similar questions of their customers, the reaction would be very difficult. I would challenge you to find a Personal Licence holder in the country who has not made the statement “I think you are a little too drunk…” only to be told by a customer (after a 30 second delay as they struggle to grasp even the basic vocabulary) who is only able to stand thanks to the assistance of their ‘sober’ friend and your doorman, “I’m not drunk, I’ve only had two pints…”

Many Personal Licence holders or Premises Licence Holders do not fully appreciate the very nature of their role, they are authorising the sale of a controlled drug and they have complete responsibility not only for who they sell the drug to, but also the dosage of that drug. To hold this responsible position not only do they not require a degree as in the case of the pharmacist, but many even frown at the 1 day compulsory training they are made to complete.

Even more staggering is the complete lack of understanding of the consumer as to the responsibility the licence holder has for their welfare when they have consumed a drug that alters their mental state after the very first drink to the point where driving becomes dangerous. It’s a paradox that the average customer appreciates the drink drive laws, but refuses to accept the guidance and discretion of the licence holder and their training in regard to how much alcohol is too much…

I’m not advocating that we ever reach a situation where personal licence holders question staff as to their personal habits to determine if they should be allowed to drink alcohol. However I do advocate that they should realise their responsibilities and take them seriously; that they should undergo the necessary training to allow them to make judgements that seek to protect the consumer when the customers own ability to make informed judgements is diminished by their consumption of the drug ‘alcohol’.

The starting point for training is the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) for front line staff serving alcohol, supervisors and managers should be encouraged to obtain the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and subsequent training such as the National Certificate for Licensees – Drug Awareness (NCLDA) and Conflict Management & Resolution Training (CMR).

Please visit our website please visit at www.btbl.co.uk