The scourge of alcohol

Recent reports have pointed to the harmful effects of alcohol in Australia. We have learnt of abuse in the Northern Territory, binge drinking by young people, road trauma, reports of research indicating brain damage etc.,etc. Fear of being dubbed a wowser would prevent some from condemning the demon drink but evidence mounts nonetheless. No-one sets out to become an addict but too many do. I have never met anyone who seriously regretted not being a drinker but many with cause to regret the day they first imbibed, often because of peer pressure. I, like many others, am a pledged total abstainer as a matter of example, apart from anything else. I do not criticise friends who take a different view but I would not want to know that someone who followed my example of moderate imbibing then went on to become an addict. So am I my brother's keeper? Yes, to some extent I think I am. Aren't we all?