It worked for drugs. Not.
So the Government PR machine is working overtime to lay the groundwork for action on the terrible state that alcohol has left Scotland in. The problem is, it seems, cheap alcohol, abused by a small minority of drinkers. The solution is to make all users pay more. Will it work?
Comparison with the drug industry suggests not. Prohibition has increased the cost of drugs far beyond that of alcohol, yet they remain popular, suggesting that demand is unlikely to be affected. Also, many of the most problematic users of drugs resort to crime to fund their habit. So we can look forward to, in addition to the usual public disorder and assault offences that attend on alcohol abuse, an increase in muggings, burglary and robbery. Nice thinking there.
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