As an old bloke who has watched what has happened to many others I see the problem of abuse of alcohol and other so called recreational drugs purely as a medical problem. When it is a criminal act to consume any substance, real criminality will soon eclipse this minor non victim activity.
That being said the large corporations that advertise are not trying to shift existing consumers to their 'brand' but are really recruiting the next generation. They have to replace their customers that are dying prematurely to maintain sales. This was the MO of the tobacco companies.
Prohibition will never work. If our society cannot keep illicit drugs out of our jails then how can it stop their use generally.
As for the nanny state, I reckon all these rules are ridiculous mob. From now on I will not stop at red lights, stop signs, pedestrian crossings. You get the idea!
Until our young see us adults show by example how to behave. We cannot decry their excessive consumption of alcohol with energy drinks.
Of course when I was a young lad I did not need energy drinks! White Lightning was good enough for me!
I am afraid that Trevor is quite correct. We spend literally billions trying to stop people having access to illicit drugs and ignore the major drug problem in our society. Alcohol.
I would be amazed if there was no correllation with alcohol use and our legislators and judges and police. Talk about separation of powers, on this they are in agreement.
Here is what white lightning means
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iYY2FQHFwE
He did improve a bit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROA21n2zxmQ
No sign of drugs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY61KtLSeys
Bert