Public drinking: Use targeted approach

Although the proposed drinking controls are no surprise, I wonder if we are using the shotgun approach. Do we have a serious drinking problem in our midst? (“Islandwide limits on public drinking proposed”; Jan 20)

I believe that most of us are social drinkers and responsible enough to know our limits. It is a minority who would drink beyond their limits and could create a nuisance.

Alcoholism is a disease, and with the imposition of tough measures, this minority of drinkers could simply go underground and still drink.

I agree that public spaces in residential areas could have drinking restrictions or even be designated as alcohol-free zones. In restaurants and other dining/drinking establishments, the operators are responsible for ensuring their customers drink responsibly.

If a restriction on retail sales of alcohol is needed, 12am is more sensible than 10.30pm. And drinking at barbeques in parks or during festive occasions such as the New Year should simply be allowed as part of the merrymaking.

In the final analysis, operators of drinking places, friends of drinkers and Singaporeans in general must know when to drink and when to stop drinking. Using the strong hand of the law itself produces limited results.

Worse is if heavy drinkers and would-be drinkers try their luck with the law. There should be a more targeted approach to restrict public drinking than what is proposed now, which also impinges on the majority of social drinkers.