Good job primates don't drink....
Unfortunately alcohol is to blame for a great deal of the street violence in every town. So the government in their infinite wisdom extend the drinking hours in the hope that the violence won't all happen at the same time. They expect the local police will be more able to cope with the situation if Pubs and clubs close at different times. Basically that means that by longer drinking hours the same amount of violence will occur, but at least the police will have a better chance of arresting more offenders. A ridiculous change to the licensing laws which doesn't stop the fights and violence, just moves it back or forth a few hours over the night.
Teenagers have always bought bottles of alcohol, in my youth it was Cider, it tasted terrible and made everyone feel ill, but you somehow felt more "Grown Up". Nowadays they have potent Alcopops of a much stronger brew and actually taste nice, now we've got the female of the species getting drunk, and if not goading the boys on, will fight themselves. Supermarkets are open all night, a never ending source of cheap beer and spirits. The government make millions each year from tax imposed on alcohol, so they're in no hurry for things to change. The licensing trade has already taken a big loss in custom with the smoking ban in premises, now they have to compete with the supermarkets for sales. So they have two for one nights etc. hoping to win some trade back for a couple of nights a week. It just keeps piling up, the Landlord is paying ridiculous money to rent the premises, and he/she has to pay bills and keep a family the same as everyone. There is no single law needed to change this merry go round of violent disorder. They need to take a fresh look at the whole licensing system from the ground up. And to be honest that's not happening anytime soon. So where does that leave us, running or fighting ?? Me huh, I'm too old to run..........
Edit, I in no way condone the use of cannabis, unless it is taken as pain relief for M.S. or other such illness. If you want to take it that's your personal decision, and as long as you hurt no one by doing this, why should I worry about you?
I must add that I saw an article in the Cornishman where about five or six Police Officers plus sniffer dog entered a licensed premises in Penzance and found one 50 year old man to be in posession of a small quantity of cannabis. Was this man a troublemaker, no. Was he being violent in any way, no. Did the landlord suspect he was dealing, no. Now he was breaking the law, but as no smoking is allowed on licensed premises, he wasn't really offending anybody, and I doubt anyone else knew he even smoked it. This operation must have cost quite a few pounds, and for what, a caution ? Considering up till a few years ago we could walk into a pharmacy and buy a bottle of Laudanam for our aches and pains, and we actually went to war with China over the Opium trade. I think having a bit of pot in your pocket for personal use and being classed as a criminal, just a tad over the top.
