CHRISTMAS IN COURT

Many of us at this time of year will imbibe perhaps slightly more of the amber nectar than we would normally do but it usually will be when in good company in a warm room and with well prepared food as an accompaniment. Indeed when describing the atmosphere of human activity in England around this time of year the word commonly employed is “merry”. One would be hard put to find such a suitable use at any other time. Derived from old German its origins go back a thousand years and “Merry Christmas” is immediately evocative of a Dickensian character slightly inebriated but bearing nothing but goodwill to his fellows. Considering that ale and its derivatives have been brewed in England and been part of English life for over a millennium society has yet to find a humane way of dealing with those who drink to excess causing misery for themselves and those who cross their path.  
Since 2009 Drink Banning Orders or “nimbyism” for alcoholics have been employed. They are a total waste of time and energy and merely displace the problem drinker to a neighbouring location. Indeed I have heard of DBOs being effected for the whole country. Truly those who dream up such legislation are almost as unrealistic as those who empower it.  
Every day in every magistrates` court there will be an alcoholic presented for sentencing on a variety of offences carried out when he, or occasionally she, was oblivious to reality. Perhaps when our governments are governments of the people, by the people, for the people such misfits will be channelled away from the criminal justice system and entered voluntarily or otherwise into a health care system. Until that time all I can do is thank you for spending some of your valuable minutes reading at this site. Whatever your religious beliefs or none I wish you a Merry Christmas.