Alcohol and Drug Addictions. Specifically Essay

In Alberta, liquor stores have been privatized, although the government still maintains strict regulations on anyone who sells liquor. It is available in liquor stores, retail outlets, and in bars and restaurants. Many people felt this would lead to widespread addiction and abuse, but studies indicate that may not be the case. In an economic study completed in 2005 comparing Ontario and Quebec's monopolies with Alberta's privatization, the results were surprising. People believe that revenues would decline if the monopolies went public, but in fact, because Alberta sets a flat rate for liquor prices, revenues actually went up in Alberta, not down. In addition, a wider variety of products and brands is available in Alberta than in either of the other two provinces, and there are more locations available to buy liquor in Alberta ("Privatization of alcohol trade"). In fact, since privatizing the liquor industry, Alberta's sales have almost doubled, jobs in the industry have risen dramatically, and people are happy with the service and availability of liquor in the province ("Alberta liquor privatization").

One of the biggest fears is that the Alberta system will lead to more alcoholism and abuse because of the availability of alcohol in the province. However, the economic study found that while in the period between 1993 and 2003, alcohol sales rose only 1.2% in Alberta, while they rose 4% in Ontario and 13% in Quebec. Thus, alcohol sales actually rose far less in the privatized province, leading to the conclusion that abuse is not a problem in Alberta, even with more outlets and types of liquor available.In conclusion, it seems that privatizing the sale of liquor, rather than monopolizing it, might be a solution to the dilemma about retail corner shops selling alcohol. It does not seem to add to abuse, it does not cause a loss of revenue, and it makes liquor easier to get because there are more shops open. It seems that less government intervention is a good idea, it could create new jobs and opportunities for business ownership, and it seems to have few downfalls. Less regulation could lead to less abuse, as in Amsterdam, where marijuana use is not prosecuted, and abuse is far less than in other countries. It seems that allowing the sale of liquor freely would not result in many bad consequences, and that it should be considered in Ontario, so the state gets out of the liquor business and back into government concerns.

References

Author not Available. 2005. Quebeckers and privatizing the retail trade of alcohol. Montreal Economic Institute. http://www.iedm.org/uploaded/pdf/sondage0905_en.pdf (Accessed February 18, 2009).

Editors. 2009. Alberta liquor privatization. Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. http://aglc.ca/liquor/albertaliquorprivatization.asp (Accessed February 18, 2009).

Editors. 2009. Today's LCBO. Liquor Control Board of Ontario. http://www.lcbo.com/aboutlcbo/todayslcbo.shtml (Accessed February 18, 2009).

Editors. 2005. Privatization of alcohol trade in Ontario and Quebec. Montreal Economic Institute. http://www.iedm.org/main/show_mediareleases_en.php?mediareleases_id=88 (Accessed February 18, 2009).

Sterling, Toby. 2008. Amsterdam to close many of its brothels, marijuana cafes, sex shops. The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/06/amsterdam-to-close-many-o_n_148933.html (Accessed February 18, 2009)......