Another drunken Purim
DESPITE the community’s efforts to curb alcohol-related problems on Purim, binge drinking remained prevalent on Saturday night.
DESPITE the community’s efforts to curb alcohol-related problems on Purim, binge drinking remained prevalent on Saturday night.
While not able to comment on specific incidents, Hatzolah operations manager Danny Elbaum confirmed he and his team were called out to a number of alcohol-related emergencies. The Jewish ambulance service attended both private homes and congregations on the night, and Elbaum said that the issue was certainly not confined to those under 18.
“The message does not seem to be getting through,” he told The AJN, of the community’s response to the various warnings, appeals and educational initiatives issued.
In positive news, Elbaum joined the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) in applauding the Baillieu Government, which on Monday announced it would introduce legislation into Parliament, whereby $7000 fines would be issued to adults who give alcohol to children without parental permission.
“In the past, if an adult gave alcohol to someone in their own home, they couldn’t be charged. Now this will change,” Elbaum said.
JCCV president John Searle said he believed the potential legislation would “educate the community about appropriate behaviour and encourage adults to consider their actions and their duty of care to others”.
“It is incumbent on older people, particularly those in roles of responsibility, to set limits for children and also to act as role models in regard to their own behaviour,” Searle said. “If we expect young people to change their attitudes, we really need to focus on adults.”
The Rabbinical Council of Victoria, JCCV’s Youth Alcohol Program and school principals all released statements ahead of Purim in an effort to communicate the dangers associated with binge drinking.
While concerned that these efforts did not curb the problem, Elbaum praised the efforts of Mount Scopus Memorial College, which provided an alternative, alcohol-free event to its senior students ahead of the school’s Purim celebrations. “It was good that they gave their kids an alternative and more schools should be involved in these efforts,” he said.
DALIA SABLE
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