You may recall there are a number of threads running through the argument.

One suggestion is that over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of liquor outlets, (including takeaway outlets) and the hours of trading have increased substantially.

The consequence of this is said to be more drunk people out on the streets for longer and more opportunities for problems. Then there is the point that there is a wider variety of alcoholic drinks available these days and these are conveniently packaged.

The counter argument is that the problem is a cultural one. Many young people in Australia just like to get drunk. It’s part of their weekly ritual. They don’t see it as a problem. They see it as fun, as a joke.

That is the question. Are young people’s drinking habits any different now than 30 years ago? And how much have their parents’ drinking patterns influenced this generation?

Perhaps the higher degree of media attention to alcohol-related youth violence has simply raised the awareness of the problem.

It was perhaps significant this week that police commissioners from around Australia suggested that governments should consider cutting opening hours and making alcohol more expensive in a bid to curb

alcohol-fuelled crime.

In Queensland, for example, over the last 16 years the number of liquor licenses has almost doubled to 6627.

Is that the problem? Or have people just lost the ability to drink responsibly? Should money be spent on changing attitudes rather than increasing the price of some popular drinks?

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