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"content": "I remember an incident where a father, son and a grandson were all paraded at the same time in the same funeral. I asked myself where we are going as a country if we do not deal with the problem of alcoholism. To say the least, this problem has not only afflicted the young people and the male gender but also our young ladies, some of whom are mothers. Many have fallen victim and that is completely reminiscent of a society that is in decay. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, enforcement of the age limit of the young people who are allowed or can walk into a bar or any place where alcohol is sold has largely been carried out, for example, in some supermarkets. But if you go to the wines and spirits shops in the shopping centres, you will find that any young person in trousers will walk in and buy any alcohol that they want. These are some of the areas that we need to address seriously. As we make this legislation, we should ensure that there are no loopholes that are left that can be exploited. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, recently in Machakos County there was an incident where a qualified prosecutor, who has been bestowed the responsibility of administering justice and presiding over it in a court of law, confessed that he, indeed, has been unable for years to go to his work station and execute his duties when he is sober. This is just one case that goes along to show the damages or demerits of addition. This is because it will rob even the most respectable, learned and qualified member of society. They will lose their dignity and effectiveness to deliver services on the altar of alcoholism. So, as we deliberate on this, let us not look at this problem and just imagine that this is a problem that only afflicts the poor. The Senators and Members of the National Assembly should be an example, such that even out there in the social places, we should not conduct ourselves in a way that makes alcoholism look like something good. I remember attending an induction on etiquette; how we, as Members of Parliament, should conduct ourselves. One of the lessons was that if you go out there, as a Member of Parliament, do not overindulge or consume alcohol to an extent that it robs you of your dignity or morals. If we do that, we will go a long way in ensuring that what we are advocating for here, indeed, is realized. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, within the communities out there in the rural areas and even here in the city, there have been very active pressure groups, which have been going around and doing the work of ensuring that this message goes out. I think that those groups need to be congratulated and lauded for the efforts that they have been putting. But it would also be important for us, as a House, to also urge other institutions in society, for example, our churches to team up with those pressure groups and other individuals and institutions that have been carrying out the work of ensuring that alcoholism does not rob us of our society. If such teamwork is created, then the intentions of this Bill will go all the way down to the grassroots or the last person. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, lastly, in advertising alcohol, it has always been made to look like being drunk is something that is so cozy or trendy to do. I remember the other day, a law was passed to ensure that advertising of cigarettes is not made to look like it is something that is socially trendy and attractive to do. I think that closely to follow in this pursuit should be alcohol, so that it is not impressed upon our young people, when their minds are highly impressionable, that going into a bar and ordering for a glass of wine and putting your leg on the bar stool and looking cozy, is something that is good to do. I believe that if the other contributions, thoughts and suggestions which have been given by my colleagues are put together in this amendment Bill, as brought by the Senate Majority Leader, it is going to go a long way in ensuring that we have a better country. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}