Alcohol Consumption Article (I promised)

[*Mahzala*]

As requested by Shlombay and other members, I am posting the link to this article I wrote about four weeks ago. The reason I didn't post it earlier was because I wanted to attach with it a scan of the published newspaper version. That, however, is going into next weeks issue. I will share it when I can. I don't usually share my assessments, but this one was requested, so I gotta stick to my word kana?

Also, just to clarify, it is a feature article, which as you know, is written very differently to news stories and articles. Again, posting the newspaper version would have made this part clear, but khair. Feature articles are basically the colour pieces of a newspaper - my favourite writing style (for newspapers). Also, as I might have mentioned before, my angle changed slightly from what I mentioned in the previous thread. The reason being - one of my main interviews was rejected. The Tavern Manager and Guild President said no after continuous efforts of contacting them and asking for an interview. As I wrote this, the uni tavern was undergoing changes with its guidelines following the car accidents that resulted in two deaths that I initially wanted to follow up. I was told that an interview about the tavern at this stage would have very negative implications on the issues at hand, and so was given a straight no. Although I did intend to cover the positive aspects of a tavern on campus as opposed off campus and mainstream pubs, this interview getting rejected put in a position where the negatives outweighed the positives, as then, I only had comment from health experts etc cetraaaa.

Starting off as 2000 words (assessment limit), I continuously edited to match the newspaper limit, and so it ended up at 900. Word counts are a killer sometimes. Qrratu will agree. It is not all that, but I share it to fulfil the request.

http://mystiqueoriginal.blogspot.com/2010/04/normalisation-of-alcohol-during.html

[Khushal Khan Khattak]

Read it all.............

here's my verdict.......

sounds and reads very professional, it felt like it was from Time or some good paper.

I guess, for your age and experience it is perfect.

I would like to see a scan of the actual paper though.

Thanx.

[*Mahzala*]

Thank you KKK, Shazadgey and James. Much appreciated.

[tor_khan]

Brilliantly written - posted my thoughts on the blog.

[*Mahzala*]

Thank you Tor_Khan. There is a lot missing (as in, what I removed after editing it down to 900 words) and a twist of the angle made it a tad harder. My reply will be there - shortly. Thanks for dropping by and actually considering that messy place worth reading.

Thank you for taking out time to read it. Means a lot folks.

[*Mahzala*]

Thanks HeratiGirl. Are you using Safari?

[*Mahzala*]

It is not a problem posting it here for me, but I am slightly confused. You said you read it, but then you say your college has blocked off the blog ...

You will have to give me a few minutes then. I need to get a hold of the picture again. And, it is dinner time - consider it breakfast for me - my first meal throughout the day.

[*Mahzala*]

HeratiGirl, Ajaan, Qurbaan!!

Got ya! Okay, excluding the picture of the Tavern I took (gosh it looks so small in the blog, effectless, it almost looks like a bad photo, whereas, in fact, the tavern behind bars is meant to send a message) I will paste the article here for you. =)

[*Mahzala*]

“Are you attending Friday’s Guild event?” comes the question.
“Do you think they’re providing any drinks?”
“I doubt it, but it makes sense. It’s a career expo, there is no such need,” she says.
“I’d rather not go then … there’s not much to look forward to.”

While this exchange was between two university students, it reflects an accomplishment of the intended messages of the alcohol industry. Whether it is a workplace, university or private gathering, the central element is often alcohol, a widely used and enjoyed depressant drug in the Australian society.

“Beers, careers and volunteers...” reads one of the many posters on the pillars outside the Curtin University Student Guild office. Neither the careers, nor the volunteers seem to be persuading, but the five-letter word that can certainly entice anyone, anywhere. Despite the colourful and neat designs of the other posters, the heavy advertising contributes to a dangerous normalisation process of alcohol consumption among university students.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia is one of the highest alcohol consuming countries in the world ranking fifteenth out of 45 for its per capita consumption of 7.8 litres by those aged 15 years and over. Alcohol is the main cause of death on Australian roads and the second largest cause of drug-related deaths and hospitalisations throughout the country. The centrality and promotion of alcohol by organisations to increase participation using socialisation as a sidekick is becoming highly popular and irresponsible. Although it is classified as a drug, alcohol is often not seen as such and consumed in large amounts despite the gravity of its physiological effects. “Sadly people still drink after increased awareness of its effects and this is a case of the State Government to keep on being visible with the advertising of drink-driving and excessive consumption during events and the consequences of it,” says Peter Howat, Professor and Director for the Centre of Behaviour Research and Cancer Control at Curtin University.

The red bricks outside and the absence of light inside the Tavern both contribute to creating a very dark environment. There are blackboards outside with the day’s specials neatly written in chalk, headed by the Taverns logo. The pillars are almost entirely covered with posters of upcoming events mainly associated with the Student Guild and the Tavern. There are white laminated sheets sealed to the doors in and outside of the Tavern reminding customers of the regulations. One reads: No Photo ID, No Entry – 18+. This one also has a long list of qualifying Ids and a few other requirements such as footwear. Another glossy sign says: No Alcohol/Glasses beyond this point.

It is 10.30 am and already a group of students eagerly await their order. The opening hours of the two bars differ, and to an extent the seating arrangements too. A waiter dressed entirely in black uniform brings a tray of four identical drinks to their table. Their order number is called and one of the four students attends the second bar to pick up the tray of food.

Hannah Jenkins, a Curtin student completing a double degree in journalism and professional writing says the Tavern is a reflection of Australian culture. For Hannah and her friends, the Tavern is an ideal place to socialise and enjoy good music. “Although there are little measures in place in dealing with consumption, I haven’t seen any underage people in the Tavern. Security is very tight and has grown a lot in controlling age and Ids … and running metal detectors over customers is becoming regular practice when necessary,” she says.

Taverns are an important part of social life at universities, particularly a community university like Curtin, where most of its students live off campus. While on campus taverns cater for a niche audience, with a relatively controlled environment and certain pricing policies, the increased availability remains controversial. But, Tavern Manager Tania Santina and Guild President Jessica Short refuse to comment.

“There is very clear evidence around the world that the availability, including opening hours, is a big factor in alcohol consumption. Socialisation should take place in the afternoon or late afternoon and there is really no need for taverns to be open earlier than mid-afternoon onwards,” Curtin’s Professor Howat says.

Alcohol at the centre of events, almost as if social activity is dependant on its consumption, sends mixed messages about the need to enhance social functioning and ultimately results in the normalisation and acceptance of its excessive consumption.

“Most places in Australia and New Zealand and even the United States have a tavern in the local community close to the university or have bars and hotels which provide an opportunity for socialisation. So even if they don’t have them on campus, the evidence is very clear that students will congregate at taverns and parks that are within close proximity, and in our case, would have been Waterford Shopping Centre. The less alcohol outlets we have and the less attitude we have in the sense that it is normal, then the less we are going to have in terms of alcohol related problems. Quite frankly, this normalisation of drinking promoted by the industry really has to stop and the industry really has to take responsibility for this, and, at the moment, they are failing to do so.

“Ultimately, those sorts of messages are not allowed in advertising and it is up to the Student Guild and organisations involved to take a stronger stance.”