Last Call for Alcohol

Jul 09, 2015 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Permit me the opportunity to comment on a divisive issue of late, and that is the decision to enforce the closure of clubs and drinking pubs by 2 am.
I recognize and accept the immediacy with which the Minister of Public Security feels compelled to act due to an extremely high crime rate; however I suspect this decision was done in haste and poorly consulted on.
As others have noted, crimes seen of late are not impulse crimes associated with inebriated persons acting in haste and out of their normal self. These are planned crimes by two or more individuals who may be underlings in the drug trade.
Apart from the impact this decision will have on the business community, I do believe the time has come to look at the dangerous culture of extreme drinking in public that we have had in Guyana for the longest time. Something must be done to curb this excess in our society which I believe has played a hand in the degradation of our communities and culture in the last few decades.
I wish to highlight, however, my experience as an ex-pat returning home from the US. The 2 am decree only applies to the selling of alcohol and does not extend to the closure of the operating establishment.
I rationalized this law was meant to protect citizens from the plague of drunk driving by limiting the available time a person may be permitted to consume alcohol.
What is not worthy is that the law allows the operating entity the flexibility to operate after the 2 am point, since money can still be made for the rest of time the entity chooses to remain open.
This also has the added advantage of allowing persons who may be considered over the limit or somewhat inebriated at the time to regain themselves before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, even though there are strict laws prohibiting drinking and driving and it is always advisable to have a designated driver. But we do not live in a perfect world and leeway must be given.
I would like to call on the powers-that-be to relook at this issue – albeit good intentioned and a step in the right direction towards curbing extreme alcohol consumption and the crimes associated – which will have little impact on the types of crimes seen today and will no doubt hurt our business and tourism sector.
I surmise a more thorough and holistic approach is needed to reduce the high incidence of crime in this country, and which is costing us dearly on every front. We need help from wherever we can get it immediately.
As others have suggested, Guyanese citizens must also step-up and be vigilant and responsible, but we need systems in place if the citizenry are to do that, such as an effective and functioning 911 system with a responsive policing force.
Also a relook at the strict gun ownership laws in this country which does little to stop criminals from arming themselves, but creates an unfair and dangerous disadvantage to the average citizen.
D. Persaud
Patriot & Son

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