TIME PLEASE GENTLEMEN

PREMIER John Brumby has correctly identified alcohol as Victoria's
most serious social problem and the greatest threat to our young people.

Statistics Mr Brumby describes as alarming confirm this legal drug
creates more widespread problems than illicit drugs such as
marijuana, amphetamines and heroin.

In an interview with the Herald Sun to mark his first 100 days in
office, Mr Brumby reveals he has called for an alcohol action plan
for early next year. It's not a moment too soon.

There has been a massive increase in people being treated for
alcohol-related problems, and this belated recognition of the scale
of the problem is welcome.

As this newspaper has reported previously, the explosion of
late-night liquor licences over the past decade has led to increased
violence and criminality.

Also, young people have been the targets of amoral marketing.

Mr Brumby accepts that it is no longer enough to treat the symptoms
of alcohol abuse. We need an attack on the causes.

It is time to consider a range of options, including whether
alcoholic drinks, such as cigarette packets, should be required to
carry health warnings.

Education is ultimately the key: the campaign on the dangers of
cigarettes has cut the number of smokers by more than half.

A similar campaign on alcohol would be costly. But the alternative
would be worse.