As a moderate drinker, these are the kind of "prevention" laws that infuriate me. They punish and restrict my actions as much or more than the alcoholics' or the vagrants'. Like Farwell said, think warm beer's going to stop them? This is asinine; focus on identification and treatment, not these ridiculous "control" measures. This is a serious problem; let's act that way.

This is less about the alcoholic and more about the impulsive, convenience drinker like many young people who gather in groups and get drunk. You're right; it will have very little impact on the alcoholic, but don't think that alcoholics are the only irresponsible drinkers out there. Look at the terrible rape that occurred in CA this past week. Probably none of the purpetrators was a typical alcoholic and certainly the 15-year-old victim was not.

I am a high school nurse and recently dealt with a 9th grader who drank a quart of vodka at lunch time. He wanted to stop breathing due to alcohol poisoning. The vodka was not cold! He stole it from a local grocery store! We need to make it less accessible...period!

Have you ever seen an advertisement for a packaging unit of beer that was less than twelve (12) ounces? (To their credit, I have seen a smaller (green) Heineken's bottle that turns up at recycling centers.) The companies bang the overdose gong. One sip of warm (strong, bitter etc.) beer has its virtues even down to age one.

How about requiring ID for alcohol purchases and if someone has repeat offenses for alcohol related violations (including providing alchohol to minors or others that have lost the privilege to purchase alcohol)--they loose THEIR right to purchase alcohol? It could be notated on their licenses or IDs like the requirements to wear glasses. I also agree that accessibility is a real issue. We have booze in our cereal isles in our grocery stores now.

Sales push for more avialability just to get the impulse buyer. prevention pushes for more restrictions to get less avialability and therefore less use. I agree with mr. Bryson try to deal directly with the abuser not the general purchaser. single sales of anything, soda, beer, water, candy, etc. are intended for immediate consumption. I'm certianly more concerned with the drinking driver than the sloppy public drunk. Take note those of you who think legalizing marijuana will "solve the problem." Most of us professionally are seriously concerned this experience we see occurring with the legal alcohol will certianly happen with the "legal marijuana".. Access has its problems, obesity, addiction, abuse etc.

I like how Walgreens does it...they have a separate area in the store for alcohol sales. How difficult is it to walk into a separate section of your neighborhood store?

Restriction does not stop addiction. Addicts(speaking for myself as well) we'll get high on anything. especially as a teenage; can' get beer? get pot, then get something worse, etc etc. i liked beer warm in fact it was easier to drink! taking everything away is ....an easy way out. it would be awesome if it was unavailable (but it really wouldn't be, nothing is. my husband purchased drugs offline as a teen and had then delivered to his front door three times a day!)we need to treat the causes. i do not even REMEMBER ANY DARE CLASS. i would love to go to a high school and give them the raw deal..maybe bring someone who is on drugs/alcohol currently to speak as well... not some watered down police taught bull. i did not even know about N.A. or A.A. till two years ago and ill be 24 in dec. thats not right. and i am not from a sheltered community...huge herion problems. in the suburbs! oxies than herion- the athletes and all. don't think it can't reach people. we need to prevent this not just take things away after people get a taste. and to the first comment, screw you that it ruins your drinking....if you honestly can't go home&wait for your beers to get COLD it sounds like you too have a little problem on your hands. "vagrants"? why are you on this website?

Fewer outlets equals greater control. Take liquor, beer & wine out of the groceries & convenience stores. What the state loses in licensing fees it will make up in reduced law enforcement costs & higher sales tax collections. Supermarkets & conveninece stores use alcohol as a loss leader to bring in shoppers, the lower prices mean less sales tax collected.

Diane wrote, "This is less about the alcoholic and more about the impulsive, convenience drinker like many young people who gather in groups and get drunk." Diane, young people gathering in groups to get drunk are not going to be buying single cans of cold beer: they'll be buying six packs. . . . . . And if someone is going to be risking their licence by selling to 15 year olds like the girl who was attacked, do you think they're going to think twice about whether they're selling the kid a cold beer or a warm one? - MJM