Off ya face

[happy daze john in oz]

At the tender age of 8 years I was first introduced to the wonders of alcoholic beverages, a glass of Cider. Over the ensuing years my dad introduced me to Stout, in small glasses always with an arrowroot biscuit, and the occasional light ale. At the age of some 16 years I joined the Merchant Navy and as so many others did as my sister put it, become a professionsl drinker. The innocence of youth.
Many of you will have traveled the Brandy coast, Cape Town to Durban, and from memory it was not uncommon to imbibe in a bottle of brandy a day supported by copious bottles of Lion and Castle lager.
I discovered that the pavements of many ports were vastly different to those of my home town. Cape town, Durban, Southampton, Melbourne, Lytleton and others. All had pavement capable of playing tricks on the unsuspecting seaman. Obviously the local councils, had in their wisdom ,designed them in such a manner that only persons who had imbibed would see this wonderous difference. Step on the correct spot, or should that be the incorrect spot, and the pavement would spring up and smack you in the face. Lamposts also had the ability to move dirrectly into your path often with terrible concequences.
Many an unsuspecting seaman could be seen in a state of total slumber with nothing more than a kerb stone for a pillow. But in all we were a happy band who took to drinking in a responsible manner, we were often resonsible for getting drunk.

On local TV last evening a segment on the drinking habits of the current young generation. According to those on the panel binge drinking has now reached epedemic proportions. The young 'top up' drinking prior to leaving home then going to the city to wreak havoc amongst the local populus. Emergency hospital services flooded with drinkers as young as 13, all in a a total state of intoxication. But the worst thing of all is the alcohol induced violence. Also the attitude of some parents. One young girl of 13 was in the emergency department total incoherent. The hospital managed to contact the parents who suggested the hospital put her on a train and send her home! Little wonder the young behave in such a manner.

All manner of ideas came forth on how to deal with this, cut the opening hours, put a curfu on the young, reduce the number of outlets. But none of these will change the situation. Then one man, a night club owner got it right. The problem is not the drink, but rather the drugs they take with it. This concurs with comments by a doctor on a radio interview last week. drugs are far more of a problem than alcohol. Many of those effectd by alcohol may be on prescription drugs, though some over the counter medication such as the simple asprin can cause bad effects on some if alcohol is imbibed. Add to that the illegal drugs, speed etc and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

Alcohol induced violence is only commited by the minority, but the damage they can do is often horrific. Faces glassed can carry scars for life, broken bones may never heal correctly.

When I look at some of the so called drinkers on the TV I see extremely imature persons who live their lives in the me, me manner.

In all my time at sea, and ashore up until recent times ,I cannot recall seeing such evidence of alcohol induced violence.
Drink and drugs will never mix, and until the authorities look at this in a sensible manner things will remain as they are.

Is the situation similar in UK, or is it something peculiar to us here in OZ?
Odd thing though, the Aboriginies spend much of their money on alcohol but there is little evidence of violence from them.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi John
Whilst i must agree with most of what you post here,(yes i too remember those silly days) i must however disagree with the last part regarding the Aboriganls!
Have you been to Redfern of late! No i am sure as its too far off! That is a place with lots of Violence by the Aboriginals! Possibly not entirely their fault ???
But if you look at the news about them you will find many articles about Violence from them due to Achohol.
Its rife all over Australia,and i am afraid it is just getting worse!
But as i said mate yes the Young set of Today with the Drugs and drink is becoming something of a major problem! All over too not only here in Aussie!
Cheers

Alcohol and violence in Aboriginal communities

Aborigines, Alcohol, and Violence

[Captain Kong]

When I was a lad just started to go away to sea,at 16, the Big Hairy ABs were going ashore, can I come , I said.
They said, If you come with us, You drink like a man, you act like a man and you Pay like a man, or you get the Big Iron Fist.
I sat their terrified, rigid , not speaking , not daring to move until it was my round.
So I was taught Disciplined Drinking. If you get bevied, do it with dignity.
Cheers
Brian

[Doc Vernon]

If we knew then waht we know now Capt,we may well have been able to do just that!
But Alas i for one didnt know there was a bottom to a Bottle ! LOL!
Cheers

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates Hi Happy john in oz,I think some of us have had a few drinks around the seamans bars in many ports, but we had a secret weapon we were rarely alone, we had good shipmates to watch your back in case of trouble, today with many young people out on the town its not like that, they never look out for each other ? The girls are worst when drunk, I knew a married woman who was divorced, because of this her so called friend let her be taken down a dark back alley by a unknown stranger who they just met in the pub, He took full advantage of her in her drunken state !!! and her husband who was on his way to take them home saw her at it with him, the car park was by the alley,{ Talk about bad luck} She had drunk a lot of Vodka and was off her face, Her stupid friend did not care she was with someone doing the same, she was a real goer that one ?The result after a few months the married one lost her lovely home and husband. He never trusted her again, but she is a very nice person and what happen that night was a one off.

[Robert T. Bush]

Drunk drivers in Norway are properly punished, whereas here in the US they only get a slap on the wrist so there are many repeat offenders.

My daughter was hit by one.

[Lou Barron]

There would be not many ex MN guys who did not drink but very little on drugs if any thatis the trouble with the younger generation now drugs is the common thing and mixing with booze its the thing that makes it very dangerous and the lack of self respect

[happy daze john in oz]

[QUOTE=Doc Vernon;124489........Have you been to Redfern of late! ........[/QUOTE]

No mate have not been there of late but did get off there afew times. I was mainly refereing to some of the outback communities where most drink themselves to oblivion.

[happy daze john in oz]

......So I was taught Disciplined Drinking. If you get bevied, do it with dignity.

Drinking whilst standing to attention, must try thta some time.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, recalling what happen to someone in a club a few years ago in Cardiff, He called into a pub on the way, { to spend a penny} and have a quick pint he left his glass on the table, came back and fiinish his beer and was out the door, Then Had a pint in the club after sometime but did not feel well? so I call 999 and a ambulance came he was taken to the local A&E ward in hospital with me in tow, After sometime he was seen by a doctor and had all kinds of tests done 'told them his tale he was one of many victims of some joker, who had a supply of a drug that was used to date rape girls? Repenol around the country lucky for him he left the pub before the effects kicked in ???? He spent a night in the hospital and was told to never leave your drink alone, in a strange pub or club many girls would not drink out of glasses in night clubs for fear of the date rape drug at that time.