Dear Editor,

Thank you for the response to the letter [ please note: link provided by LOSP web site ] on the problems of the increase in teenage drinking. In my haste, I believe I miscommunicated my intent.

First of all, the SN feature on teenage drinking is one of very few media events trying to highlight the significant problem our society faces as a result of alcohol consumption. Few people take this on as an issue, and not only do we have to battle with prevailing cultural patterns but also the wealth of the alchohol dealers who can advertise and sponsor events which promote the consumption of alcohol.

One of the writers in SN a long time ago also mentioned that it was strange that our government saw it more fit to deal with the problems of tobacco consumption rather than alcohol consumption, since so many lives have been wrecked by alcohol.

It is unlikely that any of the regulatory bodies will be in place soon to deal with advertising standards, etc. So we have to self regulate, to use our consciences. And on behalf of every frightened child of men who consume alchohol, and who have to stay

awake to ensure that their drunken daddies are happy, of every woman whose weekends are made miserable by drunken husbands, of the police whose work is increased by drunken behaviour, of the relatives of those killed and maimed by drunken drivers, and of the men (and women) who damage their lives pursuing the hell which the alcohol vendors profit from, the appeal was made to you to reject the monies of the vendors of misery to promote the consumption of alcoholic products, because unlike high cholesterol butter, diet pills and perhaps so far, violent movies which can be controlled - every effort has to be made to reduce the consumption of alchohol in our society not increase it.

The media has an important role to play in doing this. CSR Computers in Pike Street must be commended for putting a public service message at the head of Vlissengen Road, to encourage youth to choose life instead of alcohol. This is completely different from the poisonous messages which promote alcoholic drinks.