The above link refers to a news story called 'Should alcoholics be given drinking zones?'. The link describes a trial that may be conducted in Essex that will see the creation of designated drinking areas in which heavy drinkers are allowed to drink without being moved on the police. Public opinion seems to be mixed about the benefits of this trial; with many reporting that this will create a safe environment for street drinkers and many feeling that designating areas will not help the individuals or the over all problem of alcoholism. This drinking zones trial follows the controversy regarding the decision to create wet day centres around the country. The aim of these wet centres is to 'provide support, help and treatment for severely disadvantage and chaotic people, including street drinkers.....and to tackle the anti-social behaviour problem for city centres in a constructive, non-criminalising way”. What do you think, are wet day centres and designated drinking areas helping the individuals or just moving the problem?
It really depends what the 'wet areas' are designed to achieve; if it is to keep all street drinkers in one place it will probably work but would you want that on your doorstep? If it is done to help the drinkers, which it should be, it is difficult to see how it can help and it may even lead to an increase in their numbers. Personally, I think it is being done to appease the local residents who feel threatened by street drinkers. My experience though is the these people are usually happy (drunk?) souls who are only really a threat to themselves.
ReplyDeleteI onlly wish they would spend as much time. effort and money into getting alcoholics well and into recovery - long-term, this would save the NHS, Social Services, the Police and the local authority a fortune and rehab works for most problem drinkers.