“How do you break the cycle…the cynic in me says you’d have to change society, and I don’t really know how you would do that. My feeling is that a very large part of it is in-built behaviour that is perpetuated from generation to generation and it is now ingrained, and short of changing society, I don’t see how you’re going to alter that. We have a subclass, a subset of society that is completely dysfunctional, full of people who are somewhat inadequate, acopic (Unable to function or cope). I suppose the cynic in me as well feels that you could possibly throw all the money in the world and it would not make a difference”.

If people had more money, then quite possible they would just drink more.

These words are from Doctor Naomi Cuthbert, consultant at University Hospital Coventry A&E, who features in ‘The Hospital’ a recent Channel 4 programme highlighting what its really like in hospitals in the UK.

Doctor Cuthbert was speaking of alcohol and drug abuse. It is more frequent now, and its not surprising. In a recent report by the British Medical Association (BMA), the amount of advertising and promotion of alcohol, especially to youngsters is a contributory factor for excessive alcohol consumption. This means that up to three billion pounds is spent on alcohol related illnesses by the NHS, and possibly up to seven billion pounds affecting the wider economy . [1] 

Indeed, alcohol, excessive consumption and its effects on wider society mean society is slowly but surely imploding. Situations in town centres on Friday and Saturday night are increasing, with alcohol fuelled violence at the forefront. Reducing the amount of alcohol advertising, or sponsorship will do little to help the situation. Dr. Cuthbert hit the nail on the head when she said “My feeling is that a very large part of it is in-built behaviour that is perpetuated from generation to generation and it is now ingrained, and short of changing society, I don’t see how you’re going to alter that.” 

Why do the BMA just want to ban the marketing of alcohol? Surely alcohol will still be readily available for drinking, especially with some bars and pubs open for 24 hours a day. The problem is not in advertising…the problem is in consumption. Youngsters don’t get drunk because they watch advertising, they get drunk by drinking. Equally, the influence on drinking is not just by advertising or marketing, but by the idea in society that is already there. It is so well ingrained in society that you’d need to change society. You will need to change the very ideas we have about alcohol, and other intoxicants.

Whenever the topic of banning alcohol or drugs, or a complete proscription, appears on TV or radio people have two views:

It will work, 

It won’t work.

Of course, it won’t work if you ‘just’ ban alcohol. You need to change the ideas of society. Maybe this is what Dr Cuthbert is referring to.

Laws won’t work unless people see the laws as ‘their’ laws. Laws they want to live by. Banning alcohol will not work because it is ingrained in people that they can do whatever they like, as much as they like. Plus, if you ban alcohol, you will be punishing the moderate drinkers. The question to put is, do we want to keep even moderate drinking at the expense of all the other ills of alcohol? Is that a price worth paying? Some may say that it is not their fault others cannot handle their drink…but aren't we all at fault if we all continue to keep alcohol as a norm in our communities? 

( Quran chapter 2 verse 219)

Islam forbids alcohol, but at the same time recognizes that there is a benefit in alcohol, but the sin in it far outweighs this benefit, and we can clearly see that. 

This is why Islam has the solution to mankind's problems, preventing the harms that we see in this blight on the streets of the UK.

Proscription of alcohol and other drugs only works in conjunction with the complete set of laws, values , principles and feelings, which creates a perception of alcohol, that it’s not desirable, in fact it harms me, others, and the community. When people know that alcohol is bad for them, and this is backed up by a law, together the laws and the public opinion stop alcohol consumption in society. Just by banning one item, alcohol, so many problems can be solved.

Alcohol keeps the drunken violence in our streets, drink driving, a major cause of domestic violence, a contribution to murder and up to 60 alcohol related illnesses. The hospitals are stretched and people suffer. The NHS should be able to offer more bedside time to people who are actually ill, rather than people who make themselves ill, due to alcohol. Despite this the alcohol industry thrives with happy hours where you can drink as much as you like.