Tackling under-age drinking

A chara, – I have just returned from a short visit to Atlanta, Georgia where I had occasion to buy beer in supermarkets and …

A chara, – I have just returned from a short visit to Atlanta, Georgia where I had occasion to buy beer in supermarkets and off-licences. On each and every occasion, without exception, I was challenged to produce ID prior to the sale being made. Had I not produced ID the beer would not have been sold to me.

This came as a surprise to me as I am 55 years of age and showing it! Had I not been challenged, the responsibility would lie with the individual (not the shop or management) who had sold me the alcohol and his or her failure would have occasioned them very severe consequences. The sales people feared “ringers” and were very prudent and determined, as they say in the US, to “cover their asses”. Every purchaser is required to produce valid and verifiable ID. It is a simple and effective system in the prevention of sales of alcohol to the underage.

Would it catch on here? – Is mise,

VINCENT HOLMES,

Seacrest,

Cnoc na Cathrach, Gaillimh.