Note: Gives summary of main points. Direct quotes given in inverted commas:
(" "). Title by hawk.

ALCOHOL FORBIDDEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER AGE 18

Elfriede Koller, federal minister for drug policy, has begun a campaign to
focus public attention on the dangers associated with "legal drugs" such as
alcohol.

Everyone knows someone who drinks too much, she says "Everyone knows
someone who knows someone who is an 'alkie'. Does that cause us to reflect?
No! Nearly 1,000 people die of alcohol abuse in Berlin every year, not
including traffic mortalities. Does anyone get excited about that? No!"

For doctors, pilots, drivers and others, alcohol is taboo in the workplace.
The dangers are obvious. "Then why do we allow young people to purchase
it," she asks. "How can we tolerate parents taking their children - even
those below 16 years of age - with them to the corner bar where they are
permitted to drink beer?"

The later the age at which alcohol consumption begins, the fewer the
accidents, the less domestic abuse, the less rowdyism at football matches,
fewer sexual abuse and rape cases, less neglect and human misery.

Since alcohol is often involved in all of the above, it is important to
deny access to alcohol to young people below the age of eighteen. Stricter
laws alone will not get the job done, but they are better than declarations
of intent.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski