Post by vgp on Apr 28, 2008 13:08:37 GMT 12
Army, Massey face backlash over booze
Street Van's Lew Findlay and police chief clash over an anti-booze strategy for city
Keeping the city safe from the antics of the intoxicated is the aim of a new strategy developed by the Palmerston North Safety Advisory Board (Sab).
Students and soldiers are two of the main targets of the strategy, which could see them facing disciplinary action from Massey University or Linton Army Camp if they are banned from licensed premises.
But city councillor and Palmerston North Street Van co-ordinator Lew Findlay doubts how much difference a document can make.
City police chief Pat Handcock chaired the board that created the "strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm in Palmerston North", and he said it was formed as a response to the growing impact of alcohol on the city.
"Basically there's a recognition that for a number of issues within the city, and other areas throughout New Zealand, alcohol is a significant factor in those problems."
The alcohol culture had shifted so it was now socially accepted to get drunk, and that had to change.
It was like the television advertising campaign trying to get people to think about their drinking habits, he said.
"It's not the drink, it's the way we're drinking that's the problem.
"Palmy's a great place to live, we have great options for wining, dining, theatre, entertainment. . . [but] we can do those things without getting blind drunk."
It was when people were inebriated that they made bad decisions, or became victims, he said.
Objectives of the strategy, such as tweaking the late-night bus service, and encouraging punishment of students and soldiers who were banned from premises were aimed at getting people to think about their actions.
But Mr Findlay said while it was great the Sab was trying to address intoxication, there was little impact a document could make.
"It's just another report. We can have a strategy, but how's that going to stop young ones drinking?"
Instead, changes to education and legislation were the only way to make any real changes, he said.
"It's nice, but it's not Massey students, it's not Linton soldiers that are causing the problems."
There needed to be more focus on visitors from outside Palmerston North.
One recent Saturday there were about 25 people from Masterton in The Square, two of whom the Street Van drove home when they were left behind, he said. "There was no way the police could interfere without causing a riot."
The proliferation of RTDs (Ready to Drinks) was another issue not addressed. The bright fizzy drinks were designed to get young people drinking, he said.
But Mr Handcock disagreed the report had no backbone, and said it had real aims that would be acted on.
He also said the strategy was not targeting students or soldiers, but they were two groups, close to the city, where a real impact could be made.
STRATEGY
Outcomes and ongoing actions endorsed by the Safety Advisory Board's strategy:
* Publicise the strategy and advocate moderation in the use of alcohol at all times.
* Invite additional stakeholders to join and suggest further initiatives.
* The Palmerston North City Council, police, ACC, and Safe City Hosts will introduce initiatives to address concerns about enforcement and breaches of the liquor ban area.
* Support continuation of Safe City Hosts. * Massey University and Linton Army Camp undertake to treat any incident of a student or soldier being banned from licensed premises as a disciplinary offence.
* Call on all citizens to curb supply of alcohol to minors.
* Late night buses into and out of the city to Massey and Linton, with the support of Horizons.
* Support local education initiatives about alcohol-related harm.
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4500205a6003.html
Street Van's Lew Findlay and police chief clash over an anti-booze strategy for city
Keeping the city safe from the antics of the intoxicated is the aim of a new strategy developed by the Palmerston North Safety Advisory Board (Sab).
Students and soldiers are two of the main targets of the strategy, which could see them facing disciplinary action from Massey University or Linton Army Camp if they are banned from licensed premises.
But city councillor and Palmerston North Street Van co-ordinator Lew Findlay doubts how much difference a document can make.
City police chief Pat Handcock chaired the board that created the "strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm in Palmerston North", and he said it was formed as a response to the growing impact of alcohol on the city.
"Basically there's a recognition that for a number of issues within the city, and other areas throughout New Zealand, alcohol is a significant factor in those problems."
The alcohol culture had shifted so it was now socially accepted to get drunk, and that had to change.
It was like the television advertising campaign trying to get people to think about their drinking habits, he said.
"It's not the drink, it's the way we're drinking that's the problem.
"Palmy's a great place to live, we have great options for wining, dining, theatre, entertainment. . . [but] we can do those things without getting blind drunk."
It was when people were inebriated that they made bad decisions, or became victims, he said.
Objectives of the strategy, such as tweaking the late-night bus service, and encouraging punishment of students and soldiers who were banned from premises were aimed at getting people to think about their actions.
But Mr Findlay said while it was great the Sab was trying to address intoxication, there was little impact a document could make.
"It's just another report. We can have a strategy, but how's that going to stop young ones drinking?"
Instead, changes to education and legislation were the only way to make any real changes, he said.
"It's nice, but it's not Massey students, it's not Linton soldiers that are causing the problems."
There needed to be more focus on visitors from outside Palmerston North.
One recent Saturday there were about 25 people from Masterton in The Square, two of whom the Street Van drove home when they were left behind, he said. "There was no way the police could interfere without causing a riot."
The proliferation of RTDs (Ready to Drinks) was another issue not addressed. The bright fizzy drinks were designed to get young people drinking, he said.
But Mr Handcock disagreed the report had no backbone, and said it had real aims that would be acted on.
He also said the strategy was not targeting students or soldiers, but they were two groups, close to the city, where a real impact could be made.
STRATEGY
Outcomes and ongoing actions endorsed by the Safety Advisory Board's strategy:
* Publicise the strategy and advocate moderation in the use of alcohol at all times.
* Invite additional stakeholders to join and suggest further initiatives.
* The Palmerston North City Council, police, ACC, and Safe City Hosts will introduce initiatives to address concerns about enforcement and breaches of the liquor ban area.
* Support continuation of Safe City Hosts. * Massey University and Linton Army Camp undertake to treat any incident of a student or soldier being banned from licensed premises as a disciplinary offence.
* Call on all citizens to curb supply of alcohol to minors.
* Late night buses into and out of the city to Massey and Linton, with the support of Horizons.
* Support local education initiatives about alcohol-related harm.
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4500205a6003.html
